Integrating Traditional Sports and Games into Outdoor Recreation for Sustainable Development: Current Approaches and Future Directions

Abstract

In recent years, there has been a growing academic interest in sustainable development and sustainability, as well as in forms of physical activity that may serve as alternatives to globalized sport. One such form of activity is traditional sports and games (TSG). The aim of this paper is to explore the potential of TSG as outdoor activities that integrate recreation with the three main pillars of sustainability. This objective is addressed through a rigorous, structured, non-systematic narrative review of the existing scientific literature on the subject. The authors examined academic studies concerning the relationships between TSG the three pillars of sustainability: social, environmental and economic. The results indicate that, although there are several valuable studies linking TSG with each dimension of sustainability, there remains a strong need for further, in-depth research to enhance both theoretical understanding and the practical benefits for local, regional, and global communities.