1.2 Sport, ethics and OAA as
recreation
What are the characteristics and objectives of sport?
What are sporting ethics?
What are Outdoor and Adventurous activities (OAA)?
Sport
Characteristics
S
P
O
R
T
• Serious/competitive- Win at all costs attitude
How?
• Prowess- High skill levels (professionals)
Who?
• Organised- Rules and regulations
How?
• Rewards- Extrinsic for winning and feel good factor
Why?
• Time and space restrictions apply
When/Where?
Benefits
For individuals
For Society

Improved health and fitness

Reduced stress on NHS

Increased self-esteem and selfconfidence

Integration of socio-economic and ethnic
groups

Opportunities for socialising

National Pride (Success- Rugby after 2003
RWC)

Employment opportunities
Sporting ethics
Gamesmanship is evident in modern day professional sports (such as football and
rugby) and has filtered down to amateur and school sport who copy the negative
behaviour of their role models
-
The gamesmanship-sportsmanship continuum
Gamesmanship
+
Sportsmanship
Gamesmanship
Sportsmanship
Playing on despite injury to an opponent
Kicking the ball out if an opponent is injured
‘Sledging’- Using verbal insults to put
opponent off and affect performance levels
Verbally congratulating an opponent after
success
Appealing for the decision despite knowing
it should go to the other team
Admitting that the decision should have
gone against you despite being awarded it
Outdoor and adventurous activities
(OAA) as recreation
Key distinguishing feature off OAA as recreation is that it takes place in the natural
environment.
Function of OAA as recreation
 Improve health and fitness
 Stress release
 Personal challenge- self esteem
Reasons for increased participation
 More free time and disposable income
 Positive portrayal in media- ‘Cool image’
 Increased desire for excitement- adrenaline
rush
 Appreciation of natural environment  Non-competitive- good alternative to
 Social skills and team work
 Cognitive skills and decision making
 Survival skills
traditional sports