The influence of sports recreation activities on the protection of the environment

Sport is an indispensable part of human society, which, apart from physical activity, competition, and entertainment, also has a significant impact on many aspects of our lives. However, one of the aspects that often remains insufficiently highlighted is the impact of sports on environmental protection. Sport is associated with numerous environmental challenges, but at the same time, it also provides opportunities to promote environmental protection and sustainable development. Understanding the impact of sport on the environment is increasingly important in a world facing climate change, pollution, biodiversity loss, and other environmental challenges. Sustainable development has become imperative, and sport as a mass phenomenon has the potential to mobilize people, raise awareness, and encourage changes in favor of environmental protection. The goal of this research is to examine and determine the impact of sports and recreational activities on environmental protection, and to raise the population's awareness of the role and importance of sports and recreational activities in the preservation and protection of the environment. Through examples of walking, running, cycling, hiking, and other sports activities, we will explore how, as recreational athletes, we can become ambassadors of nature and actively participate in environmental protection. The research was conducted on a sample of respondents of N=144 students of the University of Sarajevo - Faculty of Education. The research included and analyzed dependent and independent variables. Independent variables include the gender of students and the year of study. The dependent variables include sport, environment, and environmental protection. In this research, a survey questionnaire for students was used, consisting of 10 questions, nine of closed type and one of open type, which had to be circled or given an appropriate answer, depending on the attitude, to collect data on the impact of sports and recreational activities on the protection of life environment.We applied different research methods to obtain relevant conclusions. The descriptive method allowed us to determine in detail the impact of sports and recreational activities on environmental protection, while using the method of theoretical analysis we created a framework for a better understanding of the importance of sports for the protection and preservation of the environment. We evaluated the obtained data using the method of analysis and proof. We processed the results of the research using descriptive statistics, frequencies, and percentages, and presented them tabularly and graphically. The obtained results showed that sports can influence the protection of the environment, and the majority of students presented their proposals on how sports can influence the protection of the environment. The largest number of respondents (students) are involved in sports, mostly recreationally, and in their free time they use two sports activities, which they mostly use in nature when the weather allows it. The largest number of students confirmed that they collect their own and other people's waste after a certain sports activity is applied in nature. This indicates the awareness and interest of students in preserving nature and the environment and reducing the negative impact of sports on the environment. The largest number of students participate in one of the recreational and environmental cleaning projects on the occasion of World Cleaning Day. This shows that students are actively involved in actions that promote environmental cleaning and raise awareness of the importance of environmental protection.Based on the research, we conclude that the majority of students are aware that the means of transport and recreational sports activities they use have an important impact on the preservation and improvement of human health, as well as the environment. The results of the research confirm the students' awareness of the importance of using sustainable means of transport, such as public city transport, walking, cycling, or running to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and preserve air quality. Students show that sports can be a tool to promote environmental awareness and positive practices, such as collecting waste and participating in clean-up actions. This conclusion points to the potential of sport as a means of improving human health and preserving the environment. Therefore, it is necessary to support and promote initiatives that combine sports and ecology and to educate young people about the importance of preserving the environment through sports activities.