The popularity of outdoor sports and the maturity of the industry in developed countries such as Europe and the US are high. With a suitable geographical climate and a highly developed economy, North America and Europe have earlier developed a deep outdoor sports culture and a more mature outdoor sports industry. According to statistics from the Outdoor Industry Association of America (OIA), US consumers spent US$184.5 billion on outdoor sports equipment and supplies in 2017, with an estimated per capita spend of US$567.3. Moreover, developed countries in these regions account for a larger share of the global market. The Statista database estimates that the combined e-commerce market in the US and Europe would account for 44.4% of the global outdoor gear e-commerce market in 2019, and the US/European outdoor sports industry e-commerce is expected to grow at an average rate of 6.7%/5.6% to US$43.67/31.25 billion respectively over the next four years (to 2025).

The market in developing countries has gone through a period of expansion and adjustment, and the current outdoor market is growing steadily in size. Although there is a large gap between developing countries and developed countries in terms of brand building and user cultivation of outdoor products, thanks to the huge population size and continuous socio-economic development, it has gradually grown into one of the major outdoor sports goods markets in the world. Therefore, the outdoor industry in developing countries is currently experiencing steady growth in market size. According to COCA data, from 2007 to 2019, the total retail sales CAGR (compound annual growth rate) of the outdoor market in developing countries is 22% and the total shipments CAGR is 21%.

In addition, fashion brands are stepping in to compete and a pan-outdoor trend is emerging. While the industry is expanding, the leading trend in the outdoor industry is also changing. The cross-border marketing of outdoor products by sports brands and fashionable trendy brands is rapidly gaining market share with a solid foundation in design and supply chain as well as a large user base, and as a result the outdoor sports industry is gradually evolving into an outdoor fashion trend. In recent years, luxury fashion brands have been collaborating with outdoor sports brands one after another, such as Dior Menswear cooperating with three outdoor sports brands, AKSKI, Descente and POC, to jointly launch a series of men’s ski equipment in 2020, and Chloe, a luxury brand of Richemont Group, releasing a co-branded capsule ski collection with French skiwear brand FUSALP.

Health Benefits of Outdoor Exercise

Outdoor exercise is a natural way to release stress as exercise produces endorphins, a hormone released by the human pituitary gland that makes people feel comfortable and relaxed. In addition, sunlight activates serotonin, which has been shown to improve mood, reduce anxiety and create a sense of calmness and focus. In fact, exercise outdoors causes a surge in serotonin, which is secreted in greater amounts by outdoor aerobic exercise relative to dopamine and endorphins and is released by brain cells. Also, sunlight triggers the body to produce vitamin D, also known as the ‘sunshine vitamin’. In turn, vitamin D triggers an increase in the body’s calcium stores, which are essential for healthy bones, teeth and the immune system.

Exercising outdoors can help improve the focus and concentration of exercisers because the natural environment offers a unique, varied and innovative landscape. Whether athletes are running on city pavements or cycling on country roads, the ever-changing outdoor environment enhances the exercise experience and reduces the monotony of training. As for communication and problem-solving skills, when working with other team members towards a common sporting event goal, participants can learn to work as a team and communicate effectively to solve problems, even enhancing responsibility and collaboration.

With regard to young people taking part in outdoor sports, as it takes a lot of time and energy to participate, some people may think that this will distract students from their studies. However, the opposite is true. Sports require memorization, repetition and learning, and these skills are directly related to classroom work. What’s more, the determination and goal-setting skills required for a sport can be transferred to the classroom. It is worth mentioning that increasing time spent outdoors can prevent the onset of myopia in children and adolescents and can slow down the progression of myopia, since the outdoor view is more open and facilitates relaxation and regulation of the eye muscles.

Risks Of Outdoor Sports and Preventive Measures

As far as outdoor accidents are concerned, the vast majority of them are completely avoidable and a lack of adequate risk awareness is often the main reason for putting oneself at risk, so a good awareness of risk is a prime requirement for improving outdoor safety. In the context of outdoor climbing expeditions, risk refers to hazards or events that can cause injuries, accidents and losses, such as ankle sprains, falls, heat stroke, getting lost, loss of temperature, altitude sickness and wildlife encounters.

In preparation for outdoor sports in the early stages, all participants should prepare compass, maps, GPS and other positioning supplies; secondly, with life-saving and self-help skills, they can reduce the degree of casualties when encountering accidents; and finally, they should reserve personal physical fitness, to understand personal physical conditions. Before going outdoors, it is recommended to have a medical check-up in advance to keep abreast of their physical condition. Once they encounter a harsh environment outdoors, potential illnesses in their bodies may be triggered. Moreover, outdoor sports are physically demanding. In particular, patients with bronchitis, pulmonary heart disease, heart disease, coronary heart disease and high blood pressure are not suitable for high-intensity outdoor sports. Patients with chronic diseases are weaker and once they suddenly engage in high-intensity exercise, it will put great stress on their bodies and is detrimental to their health.

In outdoor activities, danger is absolute and safety is only a relative concept. Safe activities are guaranteed by a sound protection system, adequate safety awareness, qualified equipment, correct operating methods and extensive outdoor experience. Thus, it is important to master the laws of nature scientifically, use equipment safely and operate technically in a standard way. All participants should try to avoid dangerous situations, constantly increase their knowledge of the basics of outdoor sports and constantly strengthen their training in basic outdoor sports skills.

By Xin Wang