Climate change threatens culturally and regionally relevant physical activities

Abstract Background Culturally or regionally relevant physical activities (CRRPAs), such as traditional sports and games, deliver health benefits to individuals and communities. However, climate change may reduce participation in physical activities, especially those that are ice/snow-based (eg, Nordic skating, Kumoterki races, bandy). Aims are to (i) synthesize evidence of climate change's impact on participation in CRRPA, and (ii) identify and describe causal pathways linking climate change, CRRPA and potential health impacts. Methods PubMed was searched following a critical review methodology. Search terms included “physical activity”, “exercise” or “sport”, and one of: “culturally relevant”, “traditional”, “folk”, “Indigenous”, “ethnic” or “culture”. We also searched for specific activities known to be culturally or regionally relevant (eg, reindeer herding and skiing). We identified CRRPAs likely to be impacted by climate change, and mechanisms of impact. We developed a conceptual model of causal pathways linking climate change, CRRPA participation and potential health impacts. Results Climate change will affect many CRRPAs. Snow/ice-based activities are at high risk due to atmospheric and cryospheric impacts. Decreased participation will have direct and indirect health and wellbeing impacts (eg, decreased social cohesion, less time in nature). Climate change will also impact other traditional activities, including fishing, hunting, herding, foraging, gardening, and water-based activities. For example, climate change will impact reindeer herding for the Indigenous Sámi people of Northern Europe and other important cultural events (eg, Arctic Winter Games). Conclusions CRRPA have value for health promotion, but climate change may decrease participation. Climate adaptation, mitigation, and action are critical considerations for health promotion interventions to maintain benefits that CRRPAs confer across multiple dimensions of health. Key messages • Culturally or regionally relevant physical activities (CRRPA) support individual and community health. • Climate adaptation and mitigation are critical to sustaining the benefits of CRRPA in health promotion interventions.