Is physical activity in natural environments better for mental health than physical activity in other environments
TL;DR: The study concludes that physical activity in natural environments is associated with a reduction in the risk of poor mental health to a greater extent thanPhysical activity in other environments, but also that activity in different types of environment may promote different kinds of positive psychological response.
About: This article is published in Social Science & Medicine.The article was published on 2013-08-01. It has received 336 citations till now. The article focuses on the topics: Green exercise & Mental health.
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TL;DR: This work focuses on nature as represented by aspects of the physical environment relevant to planning, design, and policy measures that serve broad segments of urbanized societies and considers research on pathways between nature and health involving air quality, physical activity, social cohesion, and stress reduction.
Abstract: Urbanization, resource exploitation, and lifestyle changes have diminished possibilities for human contact with nature in many societies. Concern about the loss has helped motivate research on the health benefits of contact with nature. Reviewing that research here, we focus on nature as represented by aspects of the physical environment relevant to planning, design, and policy measures that serve broad segments of urbanized societies. We discuss difficulties in defining “nature” and reasons for the current expansion of the research field, and we assess available reviews. We then consider research on pathways between nature and health involving air quality, physical activity, social cohesion, and stress reduction. Finally, we discuss methodological issues and priorities for future research. The extant research does describe an array of benefits of contact with nature, and evidence regarding some benefits is strong; however, some findings indicate caution is needed in applying beliefs about those benefits,...
2,046 citations
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...Accordingly, experiments have found “green exercise” more psychologically beneficial than the same exercise in settings with relatively little nature (92, 105)....
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Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich1, Uppsala University2, Tel Aviv University3, Oregon State University4, Medical University Plovdiv5, Wageningen University and Research Centre6, Pompeu Fabra University7, University of British Columbia8, Technische Universität München9, University of Edinburgh10, University of Wollongong11
TL;DR: In this article, potential pathways linking greenspace to health are presented in three domains, which emphasize three general functions of greenspace: reducing harm (e.g., reducing exposure to air pollution, noise and heat), restoring capacities (i.e., attention restoration and physiological stress recovery), and encouraging physical activity and facilitating social cohesion). Interrelations between among the three domains are also noted.
1,187 citations
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...However, most studies to date, with only a few exceptions (Kaczynski et al., 2009; Mitchell, 2013; Ord et al., 2013; Ou et al., 2016; Schipperijn et al., 2013; de Vries et al., 2013; Almanza et al., 2012), have considered only the amount (duration, intensity) of physical activity conducted, and not whether the activity was performed in a greenspace or another setting....
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...However, most studies to date, with only a few exceptions (Kaczynski et al., 2009; Mitchell, 2013; Ord et al., 2013; Ou et al., 2016; Schipperijn et al., 2013; de Vries et al., 2013; Almanza et al., 2012), have considered only the amount (duration, intensity) of physical activity conducted, and not…...
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...…inconsistent) that suggests that physical activity performed in greenspace (green physical activity) produces greater psychological and physiological benefits than physical activity done in other settings (Duncan et al., 2014; Mitchell, 2013; Pretty et al., 2005; Thompson Coon et al., 2011)....
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...(although inconsistent) that suggests that physical activity performed in greenspace (green physical activity) produces greater psychological and physiological benefits than physical activity done in other settings (Duncan et al., 2014; Mitchell, 2013; Pretty et al., 2005; Thompson Coon et al., 2011)....
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TL;DR: There is consistent evidence that greenness exposure during pregnancy is positively associated with birth weight, though findings for other birth outcomes are less conclusive.
Abstract: Researchers are increasingly exploring how neighborhood greenness, or vegetation, may affect health behaviors and outcomes. Greenness may influence health by promoting physical activity and social contact; decreasing stress; and mitigating air pollution, noise, and heat exposure. Greenness is generally measured using satellite-based vegetation indices or land-use databases linked to participants' addresses. In this review, we found fairly strong evidence for a positive association between greenness and physical activity, and a less consistent negative association between greenness and body weight. Research suggests greenness is protective against adverse mental health outcomes, cardiovascular disease, and mortality, though most studies were limited by cross-sectional or ecological design. There is consistent evidence that greenness exposure during pregnancy is positively associated with birth weight, though findings for other birth outcomes are less conclusive. Future research should follow subjects prospectively, differentiate between greenness quantity and quality, and identify mediators and effect modifiers of greenness-health associations.
648 citations
TL;DR: An overview of how “nature dose” and health response have been conceptualized and the evidence for different shapes of dose–response curves is examined to understand how urban nature can be manipulated to enhance human health.
Abstract: Over 30 years of research has shown that urban nature is a promising tool for enhancing the physical, psychological, and social well-being of the world's growing urban population. However, little is known about the type and amount of nature people require in order to receive different health benefits, preventing the development of recommendations for minimum levels of exposure and targeted city planning guidelines for public health outcomes. Dose–response modelling, when a dose of nature is modeled against a health response, could provide a key method for addressing this knowledge gap. In this overview, we explore how “nature dose” and health response have been conceptualized and examine the evidence for different shapes of dose–response curves. We highlight the crucial need to move beyond simplistic measures of nature dose to understand how urban nature can be manipulated to enhance human health.
304 citations
Cites background from "Is physical activity in natural env..."
...However, research into green exercise is beginning to reveal that nature is likely to provide health benefits beyond those expected through exercise alone (Mitchell 2013, Richardson et al. 2013)....
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TL;DR: The positive psychological wellbeing effects identified in this study should be considered in cost–benefit assessments of interventions seeking to promote active travel.
283 citations
Cites background from "Is physical activity in natural env..."
...For example, active commuting could be more beneficial in natural environments, when compared to urban environments (Bostock, 2001; Mitchell, 2013) where other factors (e....
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...For example, active commuting could be more beneficial in natural environments, when compared to urban environments (Bostock, 2001; Mitchell, 2013) where other factors (e.g. the perceived security or safety of car travel (Guell and Ogilvie, 2013)) may dominate, and walking pace could be more…...
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References
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TL;DR: Attention Restoration Theory provides an analysis of the kinds of experiences that lead to recovery from such fatigue and an integrative framework is proposed that places both directed attention and stress in the larger context of human-environment relationships.
3,747 citations
"Is physical activity in natural env..." refers background in this paper
...The restorative effects appear to operate partly through psycho-neuro-endocrine mechanisms; the perception of a natural environment by the brain triggers positive psychological and physiological reactions (Kaplan, 1995; Sternberg, 2009; Ulrich, 1983)....
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TL;DR: WEMWBS is a measure of mental well-being focusing entirely on positive aspects of mental health that offers promise as a short and psychometrically robust scale that discriminated between population groups in a way that is largely consistent with the results of other population surveys.
Abstract: Background: There is increasing international interest in the concept of mental well-being and its contribution to all aspects of human life. Demand for instruments to monitor mental well-being at a population level and evaluate mental health promotion initiatives is growing. This article describes the development and validation of a new scale, comprised only of positively worded items relating to different aspects of positive mental health: the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale (WEMWBS). Methods: WEMWBS was developed by an expert panel drawing on current academic literature, qualitative research with focus groups, and psychometric testing of an existing scale. It was validated on a student and representative population sample. Content validity was assessed by reviewing the frequency of complete responses and the distribution of responses to each item. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to test the hypothesis that the scale measured a single construct. Internal consistency was assessed using Cronbach's alpha. Criterion validity was explored in terms of correlations between WEMWBS and other scales and by testing whether the scale discriminated between population groups in line with pre-specified hypotheses. Testretest reliability was assessed at one week using intra-class correlation coefficients. Susceptibility to bias was measured using the Balanced Inventory of Desired Responding. Results: WEMWBS showed good content validity. Confirmatory factor analysis supported the single factor hypothesis. A Cronbach's alpha score of 0.89 (student sample) and 0.91 (population sample) suggests some item redundancy in the scale. WEMWBS showed high correlations with other mental health and well-being scales and lower correlations with scales measuring overall health. Its distribution was near normal and the scale did not show ceiling effects in a population sample. It discriminated between population groups in a way that is largely consistent with the results of other population surveys. Testretest reliability at one week was high (0.83). Social desirability bias was lower or similar to that of other comparable scales. Conclusion: WEMWBS is a measure of mental well-being focusing entirely on positive aspects of mental health. As a short and psychometrically robust scale, with no ceiling effects in a population sample, it offers promise as a tool for monitoring mental well-being at a population level. Whilst WEMWBS should appeal to those evaluating mental health promotion initiatives, it is important that the scale's sensitivity to change is established before it is recommended in this context.
2,862 citations
"Is physical activity in natural env..." refers background in this paper
...WEMWBS is a comparatively new measure designed to capture positive mental wellbeing (Tennant et al., 2007)....
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TL;DR: In this paper, the authors compared psychophysiological stress recovery and directed attention restoration in natural and urban field settings using repeated measures of ambulatory blood pressure, emotion, and attention collected from 112 randomly assigned young adults.
1,689 citations
01 Jan 1983
TL;DR: In this article, an affective state is defined as an important indicator of the nature and significance of a person's ongoing interaction with an environment (Lazarus, Kanner, & Folkman, 1980, p. 190).
Abstract: Affect is central to conscious experience and behavior in any environment, whether natural or built, crowded or unpopulated. Because virtually no meaningful thoughts, actions, or environmental encounters occur without affect (Ittelson, 1973, p. 16; Izard, 1977; Zajonc, 1980), an affective state is an important indicator of the nature and significance of a person’s ongoing interaction with an environment (Lazarus, Kanner, & Folkman, 1980, p. 190). Research concerning affective and aesthetic response, therefore, may have a central role in advancing our understanding of human interactions with the natural environment and could prove pivotal in the development of comprehensive theories. Further, this area of research relates to important questions in environmental planning and design, including, for instance, visual landscape assessment, the provision of vegetation and parks in cities, and issues of wilderness management and recreation. Concerning the latter, it appears that aesthetic and emotional experiences are the most important benefits realized by many recreationists in the natural environment (Rossman & Ulehla, 1977; Shafer & Mietz, 1969).
1,592 citations