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Reloading Pupils’ Batteries: Impact of Green Spaces on Cognition and Wellbeing

Author

Listed:
  • Peter Wallner

    (Department of Environmental Health, Center for Public Health, Medical University Vienna, Kinderspitalgasse 15, 1090 Vienna, Austria)

  • Michael Kundi

    (Department of Environmental Health, Center for Public Health, Medical University Vienna, Kinderspitalgasse 15, 1090 Vienna, Austria)

  • Arne Arnberger

    (Institute of Landscape Development, Recreation and Conservation Planning, Department of Landscape, Spatial and Infrastructure Sciences, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Peter-Jordan-Straße 82/I, 1190 Vienna, Austria)

  • Renate Eder

    (Institute of Landscape Development, Recreation and Conservation Planning, Department of Landscape, Spatial and Infrastructure Sciences, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Peter-Jordan-Straße 82/I, 1190 Vienna, Austria)

  • Brigitte Allex

    (Institute of Landscape Development, Recreation and Conservation Planning, Department of Landscape, Spatial and Infrastructure Sciences, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Peter-Jordan-Straße 82/I, 1190 Vienna, Austria)

  • Lisbeth Weitensfelder

    (Department of Environmental Health, Center for Public Health, Medical University Vienna, Kinderspitalgasse 15, 1090 Vienna, Austria)

  • Hans-Peter Hutter

    (Department of Environmental Health, Center for Public Health, Medical University Vienna, Kinderspitalgasse 15, 1090 Vienna, Austria)

Abstract

Cognitive functioning and academic performance of pupils depend on regular breaks from classroom work. However, it is unclear which settings during such breaks provide the best environment to restore cognitive performance and promote wellbeing of adolescent pupils. Therefore, we investigated the effects of staying in different urban green spaces during breaks. Sixty-four pupils (16–18 years old) participated in a cross-over experiment. They were placed into one of three settings (small park, larger park, forest) for one hour during a lunch break. Wellbeing was assessed four times (Nitsch scale), and a cognitive test (d2-R Test of Attention) was applied in the classrooms before and after the break. Wellbeing was almost always highest after the stay in the green spaces. However, a sustained effect was only found for the forest. Concentration performance values of the d2-R test were significantly higher after the pupils’ stay in green spaces for all sites. The highest increase of performance was found for the larger park type. In conclusion, this pilot study showed that study breaks in green spaces improved wellbeing and cognitive performance of adolescents. It also found that larger green spaces, either parks or forests, have stronger positive impacts on wellbeing and cognitive performance than small parks.

Suggested Citation

  • Peter Wallner & Michael Kundi & Arne Arnberger & Renate Eder & Brigitte Allex & Lisbeth Weitensfelder & Hans-Peter Hutter, 2018. "Reloading Pupils’ Batteries: Impact of Green Spaces on Cognition and Wellbeing," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(6), pages 1-11, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:15:y:2018:i:6:p:1205-:d:151361
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Natasha Gilbert, 2016. "Green space: A natural high," Nature, Nature, vol. 531(7594), pages 56-57, March.
    2. Mireia Gascon & Margarita Triguero-Mas & David Martínez & Payam Dadvand & Joan Forns & Antoni Plasència & Mark J. Nieuwenhuijsen, 2015. "Mental Health Benefits of Long-Term Exposure to Residential Green and Blue Spaces: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(4), pages 1-26, April.
    3. Jenny J. Roe & Catharine Ward Thompson & Peter A. Aspinall & Mark J. Brewer & Elizabeth I. Duff & David Miller & Richard Mitchell & Angela Clow, 2013. "Green Space and Stress: Evidence from Cortisol Measures in Deprived Urban Communities," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 10(9), pages 1-18, September.
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    Cited by:

    1. Jean C. Bikomeye & Joanna Balza & Kirsten M. Beyer, 2021. "The Impact of Schoolyard Greening on Children’s Physical Activity and Socioemotional Health: A Systematic Review of Experimental Studies," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(2), pages 1-20, January.
    2. Yaqi Du & Rong Zhao, 2022. "Research on the Development of Urban Parks Based on the Perception of Tourists: A Case Study of Taihu Park in Beijing," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(9), pages 1-18, April.
    3. Jean C. Bikomeye & Caitlin S. Rublee & Kirsten M. M. Beyer, 2021. "Positive Externalities of Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation for Human Health: A Review and Conceptual Framework for Public Health Research," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(5), pages 1-29, March.
    4. Tammie Ronen & Dorit Kerret, 2020. "Promoting Sustainable Wellbeing: Integrating Positive Psychology and Environmental Sustainability in Education," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(19), pages 1-19, September.
    5. Jiayi Liu & Zhikai Peng & Xiaoxi Cai & You Peng & Jiang Li & Tao Feng, 2021. "Students’ Intention of Visiting Urban Green Spaces after the COVID-19 Lockdown in China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(16), pages 1-17, August.
    6. Vera Schellewald & Jens Kleinert & Rolf Ellegast, 2018. "Introducing a Dynamic Workstation in the Office: Insights in Characteristics of Use and Short-Term Changes of Well-Being in a 12 Week Observational Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(11), pages 1-18, November.
    7. Lucia Mason & Lucia Manzione & Angelica Ronconi & Francesca Pazzaglia, 2022. "Lessons in a Green School Environment and in the Classroom: Effects on Students’ Cognitive Functioning and Affect," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(24), pages 1-16, December.
    8. Lucia Mason & Benedetta Zagni & Francesca Bacchin & Carlotta Frison & Sara Scrimin, 2022. "Children’s Attentional Processes in Outdoor and Indoor Environments: The Role of Physiological Self-Regulation," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(20), pages 1-14, October.
    9. Arne Arnberger & Renate Eder & Brigitte Allex & Martin Ebenberger & Hans-Peter Hutter & Peter Wallner & Nicole Bauer & Johann G. Zaller & Thomas Frank, 2018. "Health-Related Effects of Short Stays at Mountain Meadows, a River and an Urban Site—Results from a Field Experiment," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(12), pages 1-19, November.
    10. Jean C. Bikomeye & Sima Namin & Chima Anyanwu & Caitlin S. Rublee & Jamie Ferschinger & Ken Leinbach & Patricia Lindquist & August Hoppe & Lawrence Hoffman & Justin Hegarty & Dwayne Sperber & Kirsten , 2021. "Resilience and Equity in a Time of Crises: Investing in Public Urban Greenspace Is Now More Essential Than Ever in the US and Beyond," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(16), pages 1-39, August.
    11. Yijun Zhang & Suzanne Mavoa & Jinfeng Zhao & Deborah Raphael & Melody Smith, 2020. "The Association between Green Space and Adolescents’ Mental Well-Being: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(18), pages 1-26, September.

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