Effects of Walking Events on Community and Residents

1996 Fiscal Year Final Research Report Summary

• Project/Area Number: 07680099
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: 体育学
• Research Institution: Tokyo Gakugei University
• Principal Investigator: IKEDA Katsunori Tokyo Gakugei University, Professor, 教育学部, 教授 (20168123)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): HAGI Yumoiko National Institute of Fitness and Sports Associate Professor, 体育学部生涯スポーツ学講座, 助教授 (20237902)
• Project Period (FY): 1995 – 1996
• Keywords: Walking events / Sports for All / Vitalization of local community / Communication / Lifestyles

Research Abstract

The purpose of this research project was to identify the effects of walking events on local communities and the residents. In order to fulfill the above purpose three different cities were chosen as target local communities. The three cities were Shimabara, Kakogawa and lligashimatsuyama which have held walking events for 3 times, 7 and 19, respectively. This investigation, thus, tried to clarify the differences of lifestyles, images and effects of walking events to the local communities and residents among three cities. The residents, junior high school students (grades 7 to 9.782'boys and 863 girls as total number of subjects) and adults (275 males and 1194 females) of the communities were chosen as subjects. The subjects were asked to fill out a questionnaire regarding their lifestyle, images to their community and perceived effects to themselves and the community in regards to the walking events held yearly.
The main conclusions were :
(1) In terms of lifestyles for junior high schoo l students, the longer the walking events were held, the more motivated the boys were to take part in the walking events, and the girls were more motivated to be physically active at leisure time and to participate in community sport activities and other events.
(2) The lifestyles of the adults were affected in increased personal daily activities such as sports and physical activities for both males and females, and for females lifestyles such as volunteer activities and contribution to keep the community clean.
(3) The walking events had influences on junior high school students in having them interested in walking, local community, exchange within the local community and volunteer activities.
(4) The walking events affected to adult population in regards to their increased interest in walking, identification and respect to the community and volunteer activities.
(5) Junior high school students felt that, the longer the walking events were held, the more impact were placed on the community in improved environment and facilities, more positive image of the townspeople toward the community, local products, other sport classes and activities.
(6) Adults perceived that, the longer were the walking events held, the more effects had to the community in improved vitality, environments, facilities, roads and streets, tourism and popularity, more active international exchanges, exchange within the community, volunteer activities and increased participation of senior citizens to the community activities, and increased sport activities including walking.