Physiological and Psychological Effects of Walking in Urban Parks and Its Imagery in Different Seasons in Middle-Aged and Older Adults: Evidence from Matsudo City, Japan

Abstract

The benefits of park therapy have been investigated in young adults, but rarely for middle-aged and older adults. This study evaluates the physiological and psychological effects of walking in urban parks and park therapy images in winter, spring, and early summer. The experiments were implemented in two walking courses in the urban park in Japan and involved 12 middle-aged and older adults. Participants walked on walking courses in an urban park and city street for 11–15 min. Their heart rate and blood pressure were evaluated to determine physiological responses. The Profile of Mood States (POMS), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), and Landscape Image Sketching Technique (LIST) were used to determine psychological responses and spatial conditions. Walking in an urban park exhibited lower heart rates and blood pressure as compared to walking in the city. It was congruent with lowered negative moods, total mood disturbance (TMD) scores, and state anxiety, while the higher positive mood was observed in the urban parks as compared to the city. Images in winter displayed trees, relaxation, and comfort; in spring, water, activity, people, surrounding place, and recreational space; and in early summer, greenery, lawn, and broadness. In conclusion, walking in urban parks leads to physiological, psychological relaxation, and varied landscape appreciation.

The Effects of Green and Urban Walking in Different Time Frames on Physio-Psychological Responses of Middle-Aged and Older People in Chengdu, China

“…In the published literature, the benefits of green walking in lowering blood pressure and improving psychological outcomes have been recorded [ 12 , 13 , 61 ]. Our findings of daytime green walking have reconfirmed the effects of lowering blood pressure and improving moods.…”

“…In recent years, green environments have been widely recognized to be more advantageous to human health than urban environments [ 67 , 68 ]. Pratiwi, et al [ 12 ] have found greater improvements in blood pressure (SBP and DBP) and psychological parameters (POMS-TMD and STAI) after walking in an urban park than walking in the city. Likewise, similar results were also reported in other walking studies [ 49 , 69 ].…”

“…Numerous studies have found that walking in forests or urban parks could lower blood pressure, increase parasympathetic activities, and improve emotional outcomes [ 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 ]. On the contrary, walking in urban areas seems to be less attractive and lack health benefits [ 16 , 17 , 18 ].…”

Green Exercise: Can Nature Video Benefit Isometric Exercise?

“…Emerging evidence shows that nature exposure can prevent and treat diseases that result from urban stressors, including air pollution, noise, and crowding [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]. Therefore, urban dwellers today are encouraged to visit urban green spaces such as urban forests and parks to improve their health conditions [ 4 , 5 ]. However, though urban greening has been advocated and promoted in recent decades, there is still a considerable part of the population who live in highly urbanized areas and have limited access to nature.…”

Measuring Greenery Supportiveness in Park for Physical Activity Using Smartphone Panoramic Image and a Green Vegetation Extraction Index

“…For instance, psychological responses to walking through green space showed significantly correlation with trait anxiety levels [6]. Walking in parks leads to physiological, psychological relaxation, and varied landscape appreciation of mid-aged and old people [7]. Adolescent girls live near more parks with amenities that are conducive to walking and with active features, engage in more moderate or vigorous physical activity than those with fewer parks [8].…”