Physiological and psychological effects of walking on young males in urban parks in winter

Springer Science and Business Media LLC - Tập 32 Số 1 - 2013
Chorong Song1, Da-Wou Joung2, Harumi Ikei1, Miho Igarashi1, Mariko Aga1, Bum-Jin Park2, Masayuki Miwa1, Michiko Takagaki1, Y. Miyazaki1
1Center for Environment, Health and Field Sciences, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
2Department of Environment and Forest Resources, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, Korea

Tóm tắt

Abstract Background Interaction with nature has a relaxing effect on humans. Increasing attention has been focused on the therapeutic effects of urban green space; however, there is a lack of evidence-based field research. This study provided scientific evidence supporting the physiological and psychological effects of walking on young males in urban parks in winter. Findings Subjects (13 males aged 22.5 ± 3.1 years) were instructed to walk predetermined 15-minute courses in an urban park (test) and in the city area (control). Heart rate and heart rate variability (HRV) were measured to assess physiological responses. The semantic differential (SD) method, Profile of Mood States (POMS), and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) were used to determine psychological responses. Heart rate was significantly lower and the natural logarithm of the high frequency component of HRV was significantly higher when walking through the urban park than through the city area. The results of three questionnaires indicated that walking in the urban park improved mood and decreased negative feelings and anxiety. Conclusions Physiological and psychological data from this field experiment provide important scientific evidence regarding the health benefits of walking in an urban park. The results support the premise that walking in an urban park has relaxing effects even in winter.

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Tập 32 Số 1

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