Study On Design And Management Of Recreational Trail Based On Human Energy Expenditure Theory

Recreation and tourism activities are typical space-time phenomenon of human. As an important part of the physical activity, it accords with the general law of human energy expenditure. This paper summarizes the studies on the physiological mechanisms, measurement and impact factors of human energy expenditure. A sophisticated formula is used to predict human recreational energy expenditure under the conditions of different trail lengths, pavement conditions and slopes. Taking Jinan encircling city park in Shandong Province as an example, the application and operability of this theory are discussed. When other factors are constant, human energy consumption is lowest on the level recreational trail with a hard pavement surface. Gradient, surface material and lengths of the trails all have effects on human energy expenditure. With this rule, the design of recreational trail and arrangements for recreational facilities are discussed. Under the assumption of 60kg weight, taking moderate-intensity exercise as a standard, level or nearly level recreational trail needs a length less than 3877m, otherwise facilities for rest should be set. For non-level trail, when the length is equal, recreational energy expenditure increases with the increase of trail gradient. But because of the lower velocity, the rate of human energy expenditure is lower. In practice, for the objective of decline energy expenditure of recreationist, designer should make choices among length, gradient and pavement material. The possibility of design of trails for exercise is also discussed. Under the assumption of 60kg weight, the lengths of trails for keeping health, keeping weight and losing weight are 1938-3877m,7200-10800m,3877-7754m. Moreover, the applications of energy expenditure theory in fatigue management, environmental capacity management in recreational area are also discussed. The manager should use not only physiological but also psychological methods to design recreational trails in order to lessen fatigue and increase satisfactory of recreationists. And this theory can also help designing typical trails for amount control of visitors in environmentally sensitive area of natural protection region.