Recommendations for Keeping Parks and Green Space Accessible for Mental and Physical Health During COVID-19 and Other Pandemics

Slater, Sandy J.; Christiana, Richard W.; Gustat, Jeanette

doi:10.5888/pcd17.200204

Cited by 334 publications

(291 citation statements)

References 19 publications

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“…It is plausible that younger adults who typically work longer hours and earn less wage, are lacking both the time (e.g., due to long hours) and space (e.g., smaller dwelling) to meet physical activity goals. Outdoor activity could be a viable substitute [38], although this was not permitted in some countries during the pandemic [39]. Furthermore, increasing the number of repetitions performed during resistance training exercises can serve to adjust relative training intensity if lack of equipment is perceived as a barrier [40].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Mental Health Paradox: Mental health was both a motivator and barrier to physical activity during the COVID-19 pandemic

Marashi

Nicholson

Ogrodnik

et al. 2020

Preprint

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The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the mental health, physical activity, and sedentary behavior of citizens worldwide. Using an online survey with 1669 respondents, we sought to understand why and how by querying about perceived barriers and motivators to physical activity that changed because of the pandemic, and how those changes impacted mental health. Consistent with prior reports, our respondents were less physically active (aerobic activity, −11%, p <0.05; strength-based activity, −30%, p<0.01) and more sedentary (+11%, p<0.01) during the pandemic as compared to 6-months before. The pandemic also increased psychological stress (+22%, p <0.01) and brought on moderate symptoms of anxiety and depression. Respondents’ whose mental health deteriorated the most were also the ones who were least active (depression r = −.21, p<0.01; anxiety r = −.12, p<0.01). The majority of respondents were unmotivated to exercise because they were too anxious (+8%, p <0.01), lacked social support (+6%, p =<0.01), or had limited access to equipment (+23%, p <0.01) or space (+41%, p <0.01). The respondents who were able to stay active reported feeling less motivated by physical health outcomes such as weight loss (−7%, p<0.01) or strength (−14%, p<0.01) and instead more motivated by mental health outcomes such as anxiety relief (+14%, p <0.01). Coupled with previous work demonstrating a direct relationship between mental health and physical activity, these results highlight the potential protective effect of physical activity on mental health and point to the need for psychological support to overcome perceived barriers so that people can continue to be physically active during stressful times like the pandemic.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Mental Health Paradox: Mental health was both a motivator and barrier to physical activity during the COVID-19 pandemic

Marashi

Nicholson

Ogrodnik

et al. 2020

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…Under the closure of workplaces, schools, shopping malls, restaurants and other public places, the access of parks and open green spaces in the United States also got restricted by the policies. However, studies have been confirmed that these restrictions on parks and green spaces could possibly cause people severe physical and mental health issues especially those living in urban areas (Sallis and Pratt 2020; Slater et al 2020).…”

Section: Utilization Of Parks During the Covid-19 Pandemicmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impacts of COVID-19 pandemic on urban park visitation: a global analysis

et al. 2020

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The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in over 33 million confirmed cases and over 1 million deaths globally, as of 1 October 2020. During the lockdown and restrictions placed on public activities and gatherings, green spaces have become one of the only sources of resilience amidst the coronavirus pandemic, in part because of their positive effects on psychological, physical and social cohesion and spiritual wellness. This study analyzes the impacts of COVID-19 and government response policies to the pandemic on park visitation at global, regional and national levels and assesses the importance of parks during this global pandemic. The data we collected primarily from Google’s Community Mobility Reports and the Oxford Coronavirus Government Response Tracker. The results for most countries included in the analysis show that park visitation has increased since February 16th, 2020 compared to visitor numbers prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Restrictions on social gathering, movement, and the closure of workplace and indoor recreational places, are correlated with more visits to parks. Stay-at-home restrictions and government stringency index are negatively associated with park visits at a global scale. Demand from residents for parks and outdoor green spaces has increased since the outbreak began, and highlights the important role and benefits provided by parks, especially urban and community parks, under the COVID-19 pandemic. We provide recommendations for park managers and other decision-makers in terms of park management and planning during health crises, as well as for park design and development. In particular, parks could be utilized during pandemics to increase the physical and mental health and social well-being of individuals.

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“…Activity-friendly environments and travel can play a significant role in the fight against COVID-19 given the established links between physical activity, improved immune defense and reduced vulnerability to COVID-19 infections [ 12 , 13 ]. At the same time, personalized protection in parks, public spaces and while biking is necessary to reduce the risks of clusters developing when outside crowding replaces inside crowding [ 14 ]. The size of public green spaces in cities clearly influences this risk [ 15 ].…”

Section: Commentarymentioning

confidence: 99%