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Psychosocial and Physiological Health Outcomes of Green Exercise in Children and Adolescents—A Systematic Review

Author

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  • Carina Mnich

    (Institute of Sports and Sports Science, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Karlsruhe 76149, Germany)

  • Susanne Weyland

    (Institute of Sports and Sports Science, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Karlsruhe 76149, Germany)

  • Darko Jekauc

    (Institute of Sports and Sports Science, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Karlsruhe 76149, Germany)

  • Jasper Schipperijn

    (Department of Sport Science and Clinical Biomechanics, University of Southern Denmark, Odense 5230, Denmark)

Abstract

Both physical activity (PA) and nature exposure are associated with several youth health benefits. However, the health outcomes when being physically active in nature, called Green Exercise (GE), are less clear. Thus, the purpose of this systematic review was to provide an overview of the psychosocial and physiological outcomes of GE in children and adolescents and to outline future GE research directions. The PRISMA statement guided the review. Web of Science, PubMed, ERIC, and APA PsychNET were systematically searched in February 2019, including studies between 2000 and 2019. Fourteen of 1175 identified publications were included, which reported 15 different psychosocial and six different physiological outcomes, with some studies reporting more than one outcome. For 16 outcomes, studies reported either similar or no effects for both GE and comparison groups. For six outcomes, studies reported stronger effects for GE, for three outcomes, studies reported stronger effects in the comparison group. Evidence was rated as weak, using the EPHPP tool. Thus, GE does not have deleterious effects for children and adolescents compared to PA in other settings. GE might be beneficial; however, due to the study’s heterogeneity and quality, it is premature to make definite conclusions. Future research should build the quality of evidence for GE, use more rigorous research designs, and investigate the underlying effects and mechanisms of GE.

Suggested Citation

  • Carina Mnich & Susanne Weyland & Darko Jekauc & Jasper Schipperijn, 2019. "Psychosocial and Physiological Health Outcomes of Green Exercise in Children and Adolescents—A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(21), pages 1-19, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:16:y:2019:i:21:p:4266-:d:283044
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. J. Pretty & J. Peacock & R. Hine & M. Sellens & N. South & M. Griffin, 2007. "Green exercise in the UK countryside: Effects on health and psychological well-being, and implications for policy and planning," Journal of Environmental Planning and Management, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 50(2), pages 211-231.
    2. David Moher & Alessandro Liberati & Jennifer Tetzlaff & Douglas G Altman & The PRISMA Group, 2009. "Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses: The PRISMA Statement," PLOS Medicine, Public Library of Science, vol. 6(7), pages 1-6, July.
    3. Michael J. Duncan & Neil D. Clarke & Samantha L. Birch & Jason Tallis & Joanne Hankey & Elizabeth Bryant & Emma L. J. Eyre, 2014. "The Effect of Green Exercise on Blood Pressure, Heart Rate and Mood State in Primary School Children," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 11(4), pages 1-11, April.
    4. Valerie F. Gladwell & Pekka Kuoppa & Mika P. Tarvainen & Mike Rogerson, 2016. "A Lunchtime Walk in Nature Enhances Restoration of Autonomic Control during Night-Time Sleep: Results from a Preliminary Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-9, March.
    5. Barbara Eigenschenk & Andreas Thomann & Mike McClure & Larissa Davies & Maxine Gregory & Ulrich Dettweiler & Eduard Inglés, 2019. "Benefits of Outdoor Sports for Society. A Systematic Literature Review and Reflections on Evidence," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(6), pages 1-21, March.
    6. Mike Rogerson & Valerie F. Gladwell & Daniel J. Gallagher & Jo L. Barton, 2016. "Influences of Green Outdoors versus Indoors Environmental Settings on Psychological and Social Outcomes of Controlled Exercise," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-16, March.
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    8. Ian Lahart & Patricia Darcy & Christopher Gidlow & Giovanna Calogiuri, 2019. "The Effects of Green Exercise on Physical and Mental Wellbeing: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(8), pages 1-26, April.
    9. Mike Rogerson & Jo Barton, 2015. "Effects of the Visual Exercise Environments on Cognitive Directed Attention, Energy Expenditure and Perceived Exertion," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(7), pages 1-16, June.
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    2. S.M. Labib & Faysal Kabir Shuvo & Matthew H. E. M. Browning & Alessandro Rigolon, 2020. "Noncommunicable Diseases, Park Prescriptions, and Urban Green Space Use Patterns in a Global South Context: The Case of Dhaka, Bangladesh," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(11), pages 1-23, May.

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