The Impact of Sport on Social Relationships and Tourism in Urban Recreational Spaces

Nasiri, Priya; Eyvaz Zadeh, Hamideh; Ali Pourbalabiglou, Gisoo; Eyvaz Zadeh, Maryam

The Impact of Sport on Social Relationships and Tourism in Urban Recreational Spaces

Document Type : Origional Article

Authors

Priya Nasiri ¹ ^¶

Hamideh Eyvaz Zadeh ²

Gisoo Ali Pourbalabiglou ³

Maryam Eyvaz Zadeh ⁴

¹ PhD Student of Geography and Urban Planning, Department of Geography and Urban Planning, Faculty of Social Sciences University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran.

² MSc of Science in Sports Facilities and Facilities Management, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil,, Iran

³ MSc of Science in General Psychology, Islamic Azad University, Ardabil Branch, Ardabil, Iran

⁴ BSc Sports Science, Physical Education Management and Planning, Moghan Institute of Higher Education,Ardabil,Iran.

Abstract

Background and Objective: In recent years, expanding recreational spaces and promoting public sports have emerged as effective strategies for enhancing mental well-being and fostering social connections within urban settings. Despite this, the social dimensions of sports in public and tourism-oriented spaces have received limited attention in many Iranian cities, highlighting a gap in evidence-based policymaking. This study aims to investigate how participation in sports activities influences social relationships, mental health, and social identity within recreational and tourist environments.
Methodology: This applied research adopts a descriptive-survey approach. The target population includes individuals who utilize urban recreational and sports facilities. Using GPower software and statistical parameters (α = 0.05, power = 0.80, medium effect size = 0.50), a sample size of 106 participants was determined. Data were gathered through a researcher-designed questionnaire encompassing indicators such as sports participation, quality of recreational spaces, mental health, social relationships, social identity, and the influence of social media. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS software. The Shapiro–Wilk test assessed data normality, and non-parametric tests—including Spearman's correlation and the Mann–Whitney U test—were applied for inferential analysis.
Findings and Conclusion: The findings revealed a significant positive correlation between participation in recreational sports and mental health (r = 0.56, p < 0.01), as well as with the willingness to attend sports events (r = 0.41, p < 0.05). Moreover, significant gender-based differences were identified in the domains of social interaction and the perceived impact of sports on social identity (p < 0.05). Overall, engaging in sports activities within recreational environments contributes positively to psychological well-being, social engagement, and life satisfaction. Future research is recommended to explore additional factors that influence social interaction and to examine the role of digital media in encouraging public involvement in sports.

Keywords

Sports

Social Relationships

Tourism

Recreational Spaces

Urban Space

Subjects

Urban Tourism

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