Page 26 - seminars

RECREATION FOR EVERYONE:
ORIENTIRING AND RECREATION

PROF. DR. TEKIN COLAKOGLU
President of Turkish Orienteering Federation,
Gazi University Faculty of Sports Sciences,
Department of Sports Management

From a recreational perspective, sport not only provides the development of important physical
characteristics for the protection and maintenance of health, but also develops social ties such as belonging
to a group, providing social harmony and cooperation (Lower et al., 2013). Social interest in different sports
branches has increased in the last fifty years and recreational sports have become one of the most common
leisure time activities besides performance sports (Van Tuyckom & Scheerder, 2010).
Nature itself is a sports field. Water, mountains, hills and sky transforms itself into a great gym.
Orienteering is one of the sports that provides the opportunity to experience this environment in the best
way. Forms can be created that will provide the opportunity for every individual from very young ages to
older ages to participate. In this rich diversity, orienteering can contribute to the social, physical,
psychological and cognitive development of individuals by providing a great recreational experience.
In orienteering, the track where the competition will be held or where the experience will be lived is
prepared in advance and detailed on the orienteering map. Competitors complete the competition by
trying to reach the control points determined on the map in an unfamiliar terrain, using the map and
compass in their hands as soon as possible. In addition to physical characteristics, the ability to choose the
best route and decision-making skills determine the winner. (Cych, Krompiewska and Machowska, 2011).
Orienteering has the freedom to be done in all kinds of areas such as forested areas, parks, sandy lands,
rough lands. Besides, there is no single truth for the competitors. Competitors can complete the
competition by creating unique routes with a wide variety of combinations. For this reason, it is a sport that
individuals of all ages can participate in and have fun.

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