The impact of active sport tourism experiencescape perception on tourists’ psychological recovery: the mediating role of flow experience

Introduction: Based on the SOR framework, this study addresses the widening mental-health challenges-such as anxiety and depression-among urban populations in China amid rapid urbanization. While previous research has highlighted the "therapeutic" function of tourism, few studies have examined the specific mechanism by which the experiencescape of active sport tourism influences psychological recovery via flow experience. To fill this gap, we proposed an "S: active sport tourism experiencescape - O: flow experience - R: psychological recovery" research model. Methods: Using a structural equation model, we analyzed survey data from 288 active sport tourism participants. The experiencescape was categorized into six dimensions: social, functional, natural, cultural, sensory, and hotel culture. Results: The results indicate that the active sport tourism experiencescape exerts significant positive effects on both flow experience and psychological recovery, with flow experience partially mediating the effect on psychological recovery. The six experiencescape dimensions differ in their impacts: social, natural, sensory, and hotel culture dimensions directly and positively influence psychological recovery, whereas functional and cultural dimensions influence psychological recovery only indirectly through flow experience. Flow experience partially mediates the effects of social, natural, sensory, and hotel culture dimensions on psychological recovery, but fully mediates the effects of the functional and cultural dimensions. Discussion: This study systematically unpacks the mechanisms of the six-dimensional experiencescape in active sport tourism, enriching the theoretical understanding of sport tourism, flow experience, and psychological recovery. The findings offer practical guidance for destination managers to optimize experiencescape elements and enhance visitors' mental and physical well-being.