IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jijerp/v20y2023i2p1469-d1034776.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Long-Term Effects of Mountain Hiking vs. Forest Therapy on Physical and Mental Health of Couples: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Author

Listed:
  • Daniela Huber

    (Institute of Ecomedicine, Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Johanna Freidl

    (Institute of Ecomedicine, Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Christina Pichler

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

  • Michael Bischof

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

  • Martin Kiem

    (Certified Nature and Forest Therapy Guide, 39010 Tisens, Italy)

  • Renate Weisböck-Erdheim

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

  • Gabriella Squarra

    (Certified Forest-Health-Trainer, 83435 Bad Reichenhall, Germany)

  • Vincenzo De Nigris

    (Institute of Sports Medicine, South Tyrol Health Authority, 39100 Bozen, Italy)

  • Stefan Resnyak

    (Institute of Sports Medicine, South Tyrol Health Authority, 39100 Bozen, Italy)

  • Marcel Neberich

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

  • Susanna Bordin

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

  • René Zechner

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

  • Arnulf Hartl

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

Abstract

Background: Lifelong physical activity is related to longer health span, which is reflected at an individual level, and is of substantial socioeconomic relevance. Sedentary lifestyles, on the other hand, pose an increasingly major public health problem. In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic had a negative impact on activity levels and well-being. Previous research indicates that contact with nature might improve exercise levels as well as well-being. Methods: This randomized, controlled clinical trial (ANKER-study) investigated the effects of two types of nature-based therapies (forest therapy and mountain hiking) in couples (FTG: n = 23; HG: n = 22;) with a sedentary or inactive lifestyle on health-related quality of life, relationship quality and other psychological and physiological parameters. Results: The results of this study displayed that healthy and highly functioning women and men with sedentary lifestyles mentally benefit from contact with nature (quality of life, satisfaction with life, mood, internal and external health-related control beliefs). The gender-specific effect on women is most visible in the physiological outcomes (hemopoietic system, aerobic capacity, skeletal muscle mass and hydration) of mountain hiking. Men and women showed small improvements in blood pressure as a result of the interventions. Conclusions: The ANKER-study provides a method for valid comparison of forest therapy interventions for the first time. Regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, the nature-based intervention presented could offer a multimodal contribution to maintaining a more active lifestyle, further contact with nature that affects peoples physical as well as mental health, and an improvement in social interaction.

Suggested Citation

  • 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.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:2:p:1469-:d:1034776
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/20/2/1469/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/20/2/1469/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Hyeyun Kim & Jayoung Kim & Hyo Jin Ju & Bong Jin Jang & Tae Kyu Wang & Yeong In Kim, 2020. "Effect of Forest Therapy for Menopausal Women with Insomnia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(18), pages 1-8, September.
    2. Bum-Jin Park & Chang-Seob Shin & Won-Sop Shin & Chung-Yeub Chung & Si-Hyung Lee & Dong-Jun Kim & Youn-Hee Kim & Chang-Eun Park, 2020. "Effects of Forest Therapy on Health Promotion among Middle-Aged Women: Focusing on Physiological Indicators," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(12), pages 1-15, June.
    3. 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.
    4. Arkaitz Castañeda-Babarro & Ane Arbillaga-Etxarri & Borja Gutiérrez-Santamaría & Aitor Coca, 2020. "Physical Activity Change during COVID-19 Confinement," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(18), pages 1-10, September.
    5. Chorong Song & Harumi Ikei & Takahide Kagawa & Yoshifumi Miyazaki, 2019. "Effects of Walking in a Forest on Young Women," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(2), pages 1-12, January.
    6. Jin-Gun Kim & Won-Sop Shin, 2021. "Forest Therapy Alone or with a Guide: Is There a Difference between Self-Guided Forest Therapy and Guided Forest Therapy Programs?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(13), pages 1-15, June.
    7. Youngran Chae & Sunhee Lee & Youngmi Jo & Soyean Kang & Suyoun Park & Hyoyoung Kang, 2021. "The Effects of Forest Therapy on Immune Function," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(16), pages 1-17, August.
    8. Gianluca Grilli & Sandro Sacchelli, 2020. "Health Benefits Derived from Forest: A Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(17), pages 1-11, August.
    9. Debanjan Banerjee & Mayank Rai, 2020. "Social isolation in Covid-19: The impact of loneliness," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 66(6), pages 525-527, September.
    10. Kyung Hee Oh & Won Sop Shin & Tae Gyu Khil & Dong Jun Kim, 2020. "Six-Step Model of Nature-Based Therapy Process," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(3), pages 1-16, January.
    11. Ky B. Stoltzfus & David Naylor & Tessa Cattermole & Arthur Ankeney & Rebecca Mount & Rong Chang & Cheryl A. Gibson, 2020. "Blood Pressure Changes While Hiking at Moderate Altitudes: A Prospective Cohort Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(21), pages 1-9, October.
    12. Marita Stier-Jarmer & Veronika Throner & Michaela Kirschneck & Gisela Immich & Dieter Frisch & Angela Schuh, 2021. "The Psychological and Physical Effects of Forests on Human Health: A Systematic Review of Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-39, February.
    13. Margaret M. Hansen & Reo Jones & Kirsten Tocchini, 2017. "Shinrin-Yoku (Forest Bathing) and Nature Therapy: A State-of-the-Art Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(8), pages 1-48, July.
    14. Poung-Sik Yeon & Jin-Young Jeon & Myeong-Seo Jung & Gyeong-Min Min & Ga-Yeon Kim & Kyung-Mi Han & Min-Ja Shin & Seong-Hee Jo & Jin-Gun Kim & Won-Sop Shin, 2021. "Effect of Forest Therapy on Depression and Anxiety: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(23), pages 1-27, December.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Kelvin I. Afrashtehfar & Carlos A. Jurado & Amaweya Al-Sammarraie & Musab H. Saeed, 2023. "Consequences of COVID-19 and Its Variants: Understanding the Physical, Oral, and Psychological Impact," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(4), pages 1-5, February.
    2. Arnulf Josef Hartl & Johanna Freidl & Daniela Huber, 2023. "Effects of Alpine Natural Health Resources on Human Health and Wellbeing," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(12), pages 1-3, June.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Davide Donelli & Francesco Meneguzzo & Michele Antonelli & Diego Ardissino & Giampaolo Niccoli & Giorgio Gronchi & Rita Baraldi & Luisa Neri & Federica Zabini, 2023. "Effects of Plant-Emitted Monoterpenes on Anxiety Symptoms: A Propensity-Matched Observational Cohort Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(4), pages 1-16, February.
    2. Poung-Sik Yeon & Jin-Young Jeon & Myeong-Seo Jung & Gyeong-Min Min & Ga-Yeon Kim & Kyung-Mi Han & Min-Ja Shin & Seong-Hee Jo & Jin-Gun Kim & Won-Sop Shin, 2021. "Effect of Forest Therapy on Depression and Anxiety: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(23), pages 1-27, December.
    3. Yunjeong Yi & Eunju Seo & Jiyeon An, 2022. "Does Forest Therapy Have Physio-Psychological Benefits? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(17), pages 1-21, August.
    4. Elena Bermejo-Martins & María Pueyo-Garrigues & María Casas & Raúl Bermejo-Orduna & Ana Villarroya, 2022. "A Forest Bathing Intervention in Adults with Intellectual Disabilities: A Feasibility Study Protocol," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(20), pages 1-12, October.
    5. Kyung-Sook Bang & Sungjae Kim & Gumhee Lee & Sinyoung Choi & Da-Ae Shin & Misook Kim, 2021. "The Development of a Health Promotion Program for Unmarried Mothers Living in Residential Facilities Using Urban Forests: An Intervention Mapping Approach Based on the Transtheoretical Model," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(16), pages 1-19, August.
    6. Poung-Sik Yeon & In-Ok Kim & Si-Nae Kang & Nee-Eun Lee & Ga-Yeon Kim & Gyeong-Min Min & Chung-Yeub Chung & Jung-Sok Lee & Jin-Gun Kim & Won-Sop Shin, 2022. "Effects of Urban Forest Therapy Program on Depression Patients," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(1), pages 1-16, December.
    7. Eun Young Park & Min Kyung Song & Mi Young An, 2023. "Experiences of Forest Healing Instructors Who Met Cancer Patients in Forest Healing Programs: FGI Research," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(5), pages 1-12, March.
    8. Ralf C. Buckley & Sonya Underdahl, 2023. "Tourism and Environment: Ecology, Management, Economics, Climate, Health, and Politics," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(21), pages 1-11, October.
    9. Hansen Li & Xing Zhang & Shilin Bi & Haowei Liu & Yang Cao & Guodong Zhang, 2021. "Green Exercise: Can Nature Video Benefit Isometric Exercise?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(11), pages 1-12, May.
    10. Emi Morita & Hiroshi Kadotani & Naoto Yamada & Tae Sasakabe & Sayo Kawai & Mariko Naito & Takashi Tamura & Kenji Wakai, 2024. "The Inverse Association between the Frequency of Forest Walking (Shinrin-yoku) and the Prevalence of Insomnia Symptoms in the General Japanese Population: A Japan Multi-Institutional Collaborative Coh," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(3), pages 1-13, March.
    11. Vito Imbrenda & Rosa Coluzzi & Francesca Mariani & Bogdana Nosova & Eva Cudlinova & Rosanna Salvia & Giovanni Quaranta & Luca Salvati & Maria Lanfredi, 2023. "Working in (Slow) Progress: Socio-Environmental and Economic Dynamics in the Forestry Sector and the Contribution to Sustainable Development in Europe," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(13), pages 1-21, June.
    12. Dorothy Day Huntsman & Grzegorz Bulaj, 2022. "Healthy Dwelling: Design of Biophilic Interior Environments Fostering Self-Care Practices for People Living with Migraines, Chronic Pain, and Depression," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(4), pages 1-16, February.
    13. Sujin Park & Eunsoo Kim & Geonwoo Kim & Soojin Kim & Yeji Choi & Domyung Paek, 2022. "What Activities in Forests Are Beneficial for Human Health? A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(5), pages 1-29, February.
    14. Yunsoo Kim & Yoonhee Choi & Hyeyun Kim, 2022. "Positive Effects on Emotional Stress and Sleep Quality of Forest Healing Program for Exhausted Medical Workers during the COVID-19 Outbreak," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(5), pages 1-10, March.
    15. Yanjing Gao & Lijun Chen, 2022. "Impact of COVID-19 Risk Perception on Residents’ Behavioural Intention towards Forest Therapy Tourism," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(18), pages 1-18, September.
    16. Marita Stier-Jarmer & Veronika Throner & Michaela Kirschneck & Gisela Immich & Dieter Frisch & Angela Schuh, 2021. "The Psychological and Physical Effects of Forests on Human Health: A Systematic Review of Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-39, February.
    17. Sujin Park & Yeji Choi & Geonwoo Kim & Eunsoo Kim & Soojin Kim & Domyung Paek, 2021. "Physiological and Psychological Assessments for the Establishment of Evidence-Based Forest Healing Programs," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(17), pages 1-42, September.
    18. Emad Alyan & Theo Combe & Dayang Rohaya Awang Rambli & Suziah Sulaiman & Frederic Merienne & Nadia Diyana Mohd Muhaiyuddin, 2021. "The Influence of Virtual Forest Walk on Physiological and Psychological Responses," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(21), pages 1-12, October.
    19. Amber L. Vermeesch & Alessandra Coro & Kira Mattes & Dylan Ostendorff & Erica Timko Olson & Layla Garrigues, 2022. "Nature-Based Feasibility Intervention to Influence Mitigation Strategies for Perceived Stress," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(19), pages 1-11, September.
    20. Agnes Peterfalvi & Matyas Meggyes & Lilla Makszin & Nelli Farkas & Eva Miko & Attila Miseta & Laszlo Szereday, 2021. "Forest Bathing Always Makes Sense: Blood Pressure-Lowering and Immune System-Balancing Effects in Late Spring and Winter in Central Europe," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-19, February.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:2:p:1469-:d:1034776. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.