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The Role of Anthropogenic Elements in the Environment for Affective States and Cortisol Concentration in Mountain Hiking—A Crossover Trial

Author

Listed:
  • Martin Niedermeier

    (Department of Sport Science, University of Innsbruck, Fürstenweg 185, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria)

  • Carina Grafetstätter

    (Institute of Ecomedicine, Paracelsus Medical University, Strubergasse 21, 5020 Salzburg, Austria)

  • Martin Kopp

    (Department of Sport Science, University of Innsbruck, Fürstenweg 185, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria)

  • Daniela Huber

    (Institute of Ecomedicine, Paracelsus Medical University, Strubergasse 21, 5020 Salzburg, Austria)

  • Michaela Mayr

    (Institute of Ecomedicine, Paracelsus Medical University, Strubergasse 21, 5020 Salzburg, Austria)

  • Christina Pichler

    (Institute of Ecomedicine, Paracelsus Medical University, Strubergasse 21, 5020 Salzburg, Austria)

  • Arnulf Hartl

    (Institute of Ecomedicine, Paracelsus Medical University, Strubergasse 21, 5020 Salzburg, Austria)

Abstract

Green exercise might have positive effects on health and affective states. Little is known about the ideal characteristics of the natural environment, where exercise is conducted in. Thus, the primary aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of anthropogenic elements on acute stress-related physiological responses and affective states in green exercise. Using a crossover field study design, 52 healthy participants were exposed to two different mountain hiking conditions: An environment with less anthropogenic elements and an environment with more anthropogenic elements. Pre and post conditions, affective states and salivary cortisol concentration were measured. Repeated measures ANOVAs were used to analyze if pre-post changes differed between the conditions. Pre-post changes in affective states and salivary cortisol concentration did not significantly differ, partial η² < 0.06. Positive affective states showed significantly higher values post compared to pre-condition, partial η² > 0.13. The present results indicate that anthropogenic elements have a minor role in the influence on affective states and salivary cortisol concentration during mountain hiking. It is concluded that a single bout of mountain hiking independent of anthropogenic elements in the environment is effective in influencing affective states positively.

Suggested Citation

  • Martin Niedermeier & Carina Grafetstätter & Martin Kopp & Daniela Huber & Michaela Mayr & Christina Pichler & Arnulf Hartl, 2019. "The Role of Anthropogenic Elements in the Environment for Affective States and Cortisol Concentration in Mountain Hiking—A Crossover Trial," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(2), pages 1-16, January.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:16:y:2019:i:2:p:290-:d:199559
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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. Martin Niedermeier & Carina Grafetstätter & Arnulf Hartl & Martin Kopp, 2017. "A Randomized Crossover Trial on Acute Stress-Related Physiological Responses to Mountain Hiking," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(8), pages 1-14, August.
    3. Martin Niedermeier & Jürgen Einwanger & Arnulf Hartl & Martin Kopp, 2017. "Affective responses in mountain hiking—A randomized crossover trial focusing on differences between indoor and outdoor activity," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 12(5), pages 1-17, May.
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    Cited by:

    1. Daniela Huber & Johanna Freidl & Christina Pichler & Michael Bischof & Martin Kiem & Renate Weisböck-Erdheim & Gabriella Squarra & Vincenzo De Nigris & Stefan Resnyak & Marcel Neberich & Susanna Bordi, 2023. "Long-Term Effects of Mountain Hiking vs. Forest Therapy on Physical and Mental Health of Couples: A Randomized Controlled Trial," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(2), pages 1-20, January.
    2. Martin Mau & Anders Aaby & Søren Harnow Klausen & Kirsten Kaya Roessler, 2021. "Are Long-Distance Walks Therapeutic? A Systematic Scoping Review of the Conceptualization of Long-Distance Walking and Its Relation to Mental Health," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(15), pages 1-22, July.
    3. Martin Niedermeier & Larissa Ledochowski & Hartmann Leitner & Helmut Zingerle & Martin Kopp, 2021. "Acute Effects of a Single Bout of Walking on Affective Responses in Patients with Major Depressive Disorder," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-12, February.
    4. Martin Niedermeier & Claudia Kogler & Anika Frühauf & Martin Kopp, 2020. "Psychological Variables Related to Developmental Changes during Adolescence—A Comparison between Alpine and Non-Alpine Sport Participants," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(21), pages 1-10, October.
    5. Gemma María Gea-García & Carmelo Fernández-Vicente & Francisco J. Barón-López & Jesús Miranda-Páez, 2021. "The Recreational Trail of the El Caminito del Rey Natural Tourist Attraction, Spain: Determination of Hikers’ Flow," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-20, February.

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