This study employed the theory of planned behavior (TPB) to examine how ambivalence affects compliance of visitors to regulation concerning on-leash dog requirement in a national park setting. Pacific Rim National Park Reserve in British Columbia, Canada, has a substantial challenge with off-leash dogs, which interfere with shorebirds and contribute to habituation of wolves that come to view dogs as prey. Historically, the park has favored indirect visitor education strategies over direct enforcement. These visitor education strategies rely upon frequency and intensity of information, conservation appeal for keeping wolves unhabituated and "wild," respecting sensitive shorebird habitat, and fear, by presenting dogs as prey. However, the ineffectiveness of current strategies and ongoing visitor noncompliance with dog-leashing regulations has presented a significant challenge, highlighting the importance of theory in developing effective strategies to influence visitor behavior. Following TPB methodology, interviews were conducted with compliers (dogs on-leash) and noncompliers (dogs off-leash) from which a survey was developed. Results found a strong relationship between behavior, intentions, and the three factors that influence intentions: attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control. However, relations were weaker between each of these factors and the relevant beliefs thought to be influencing each factor. The next phase of analysis examined ambivalence, which occurs when visitors hold conflicting attitudinal beliefs about a desired behavior. In this ambivalence situation, park visitors may choose not to reflect on beliefs when forming their attitudes about complying with on-leash regulations. Park regulations and communications usually target attitudinal beliefs in order to influence visitor behavior, but under conditions of ambivalence, this kind of strategy may not be effective. In an ambivalence situation, messages to achieve compliance should be directed at influencing norms and perceived control, rather than just attempting to influence attitudes. In addition to messaging, alternative strategies to influence visitor behavior may be warranted that emphasize community level outreach initiatives focused on personal contact. Patrolling and on-leash enforcement in combination with outreach may be more effective. Seasonal closures to sensitive areas during peak migration may also make enforcement a less daunting task of managing visitors in such a large area. Providing an alternative beach area or other location where dogs can run free may also make it easier for park visitors with dogs to engage in compliance behavior. Media, social media, "prompts" that remind people to "leash up," and messages delivered by a credible source also have the potential to influence on-leash behavior.
Protected areas are important for both conserving natural resources and providing visitor experiences, but these two objectives are sometimes compromised when visitors do not comply with regulations. This issue was explored in a study in Canada's Pacific Rim National Park Reserve where non-compliance with off-leash dog regulations has led to negative impacts on wolves, shorebirds and visitor experiences. The theory of planned behaviour (TPB) was applied to explore factors that influence non-compliance with off-leash dog regulations. This study found moderate to strong relationships between visitor behavioural intentions towards compliance and the three concepts associated with the TPB that may shape intentions: attitude, subjective norms and perceived behavioural control. Weaker relationships were found between these concepts and beliefs thought to influence each concept. The relationship between intentions to comply and actual compliance behaviour was weaker, but these predictions became stronger when past behaviour regarding leashing dogs in the park (habit) was considered. This paper discusses how habitual off-leash dog walking affects TPB's ability to predict future behaviour of dog walkers, and how management strategies aimed at providing persuasive arguments for dog leashing are not likely to be as successful, unless combined with other approaches outlined in the paper.
In 2021, the Global Wellness Institute demonstrates the growing interest of the entire population in improving of overall health and immune function through various outdoor physical activities. The objective of the study was to exam a potential of outdoor physical activities in relation to the Covid-19 lock down in a group of people with intellectual disability. Material and methods: 50 persons (26 males, 24 females) with mild (15 persons) and moderate (35 persons) intellectual disabilities, aged 18-45, from the Czech Republic, registered in Special Olympics International associations. All subjects were until the physical intervention in Covid-19 lock down regime, i.e. without any indoor or outdoor physical activities. Before the examinations, all participants and their legal representatives signed an informed consent. The Assessment of body composition measured (using Tanita Leicester, and tetrapolar multi-frequency bioelectrical impedance device InBody 230) was used to assess body weight, BMI, body fat percentage and total muscle mass. The 2 weeks outdoor physical intervention focused on fitness improvement was applied. The obtained data were subsequently processed anonymously with security in accordance with the applicable GDPR and Helsinki Declaration directives. During the intervention applied outdoor activities were performed only to the extent appropriate to the physical and mental potential of the participants. Relationships of dependent variables to the sex of the subjects, the experiment, and its individual phases were evaluated by a repeated measures ANOVA model. Results and Conclusions: The intervention led to the significant improvement of body composition, the participants decreased significantly in body fat percentage and increased significantly in muscle mass. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS This study was implemended within the project TAČR STARFOS EF18_053/0016975 "Development of USB - International mobility II" CZ.02.2.69/0.0/0.0/18_053/0016975-1
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