The Impact of Outdoor Activities on IKIRU CHIKARA (Zest for Living) :

A Meta-Analysis.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of outdoor activities on “IKIRU-CHIKARA” (Zest for Living). The meta-analysis was based on 3,395 samples from 33 studies that meet eligibility criteria, and they were integrated by random effect model. In subgroup analysis, studies were divided to 4 groups by length of program, “short-term” (between 1 to 3 nights), “middle-term” (between 4 to 6 nights), “long-term” (more than 7 nights), and “continual” (multiple times). The average effect size on [IKIRU-CHIKARA] was g=0.38. In the 3 ability scales of “IKIRU-CHIKARA”, the average effect size on [Psychological and Social Ability] was g=0.39, [Moral Ability] was g=0.22, and [Physical Ability] was g=0.28. In subgroup analysis, the average effect size on [IKIRU-CHIKARA] of middle-term programs was g=0.51, that was more than twice the short-term programs (g=0.19). The results support that outdoor activities affect positive on “IKIRU-CHIKARA”, especially on psychological and social ability. And the results support that over 4 nights' programs are more effective than shorter programs. Through a meta-analysis, this study clarified the effect sizes of outdoor activities on “IKIRU-CHIKARA”, that is able to be a reference value of future evaluation. Further research is required in order to verify the mechanism that outdoor activities improve “IKIRU-CHIKARA” and to develop more effective programs.