IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v17y2025i15p6926-d1713533.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Outdoor Physical Activity in the Service of Sustainable Development and One Health: The Role of Physical Activity in Shaping Pro-Social and Pro-Environmental Attitudes

Author

Listed:
  • Elżbieta Biernat

    (Collegium of World Economy, SGH Warsaw School of Economics, 02-554 Warsaw, Poland)

  • Monika Piątkowska

    (Faculty of Physical Education, Józef Piłsudski University of Physical Education in Warsaw, 00-968 Warsaw, Poland)

Abstract

Background: This study explores the potential of outdoor physical activity (OPA) to support physical, mental, and social health, while contributing to the One Health strategy. Methods: Based on Eurobarometer 97.3 data, 570 physically active individuals were compared by activity setting using descriptive statistics, chi-square tests with odds ratios, and the Mann–Whitney U test. Results: The analysis reveals that OPA is often driven by personal beliefs and a strong connection to nature, yet participants may overlook their environmental and social impact. Conclusions: The findings underscore the need for intersectoral cooperation and civic education to realise OPA’s role in promoting health, inclusion, and sustainability.

Suggested Citation

  • Elżbieta Biernat & Monika Piątkowska, 2025. "Outdoor Physical Activity in the Service of Sustainable Development and One Health: The Role of Physical Activity in Shaping Pro-Social and Pro-Environmental Attitudes," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(15), pages 1-18, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:15:p:6926-:d:1713533
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/15/6926/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/15/6926/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    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. Éva Bácsné-Bába & Gergely Ráthonyi & Christa Pfau & Anetta Müller & György Norbert Szabados & Mónika Harangi-Rákos, 2021. "Sustainability-Sport-Physical Activity," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-21, February.
    3. Jef Huyghe & Nathan D’Hoore & Erik Thibaut & Jeroen Scheerder, 2024. "Unveiling the urban sports landscape: Profiling participants, motives, and policy implications," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 19(7), pages 1-19, July.
    4. Lucy E. Keniger & Kevin J. Gaston & Katherine N. Irvine & Richard A. Fuller, 2013. "What are the Benefits of Interacting with Nature?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 10(3), pages 1-23, March.
    5. Giovanna Calogiuri & Lewis R. Elliott, 2017. "Why Do People Exercise in Natural Environments? Norwegian Adults’ Motives for Nature-, Gym-, and Sports-Based Exercise," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(4), pages 1-15, April.
    6. 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.
    7. Cristina Gagliardi & Karl Pillemer & Elena Gambella & Flavia Piccinini & Paolo Fabbietti, 2020. "Benefits for Older People Engaged in Environmental Volunteering and Socializing Activities in City Parks: Preliminary Results of a Program in Italy," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(11), pages 1-12, May.
    8. repec:plo:pone00:0205198 is not listed on IDEAS
    9. 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.
    10. 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.
    11. David Klenert & Linus Mattauch & Emmanuel Combet & Ottmar Edenhofer & Cameron Hepburn & Ryan Rafaty & Nicholas Stern, 2018. "Making carbon pricing work for citizens," Nature Climate Change, Nature, vol. 8(8), pages 669-677, August.
    12. Elżbieta Biernat & Hanna Nałęcz & Łukasz Skrok & Dawid Majcherek, 2020. "Do Sports Clubs Contribute to the Accumulation of Regional Social Capital?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(14), pages 1-19, July.
    13. 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.
    14. Belinda Wheaton & Georgina Roy & Rebecca Olive, 2017. "Exploring Critical Alternatives for Youth Development through Lifestyle Sport: Surfing and Community Development in Aotearoa/New Zealand," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(12), pages 1-16, December.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    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. 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.
    2. Junia N. de Brito & Zachary C. Pope & Nathan R. Mitchell & Ingrid E. Schneider & Jean M. Larson & Teresa H. Horton & Mark A. Pereira, 2019. "Changes in Psychological and Cognitive Outcomes after Green versus Suburban Walking: A Pilot Crossover Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(16), pages 1-12, August.
    3. Míriam Rocher & Bruno Silva & Gonçalo Cruz & Renato Bentes & Josep Lloret & Eduard Inglés, 2020. "Benefits of Outdoor Sports in Blue Spaces. The Case of School Nautical Activities in Viana do Castelo," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(22), pages 1-14, November.
    4. Piotr Próchniak & Agnieszka Próchniak, 2023. "Adventure Recreation in Blue Spaces and the Wellbeing of Young Polish Adults," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(5), pages 1-16, March.
    5. 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.
    6. 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.
    7. Konrad Reuß & Christopher Huth, 2024. "Redefining Urban Recreation: A Demand Analysis for Urban Year-Round Green Exercise," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(11), pages 1-10, November.
    8. Elizabeth P.D. Koselka & Lucy C. Weidner & Arseniy Minasov & Marc G. Berman & William R. Leonard & Marianne V. Santoso & Junia N. de Brito & Zachary C. Pope & Mark A. Pereira & Teresa H. Horton, 2019. "Walking Green: Developing an Evidence Base for Nature Prescriptions," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(22), pages 1-18, November.
    9. Sergi Cerezo-Esteve & Xavier De Blas & Francesc Solanellas, 2024. "The Social Impact of Sports Habits on Sustainable Tourism Perceptions: A Case Study in Alt Urgell," Societies, MDPI, vol. 14(12), pages 1-14, December.
    10. Birute Balseviciene & Liuda Sinkariova & Regina Grazuleviciene & Sandra Andrusaityte & Inga Uzdanaviciute & Audrius Dedele & Mark J. Nieuwenhuijsen, 2014. "Impact of Residential Greenness on Preschool Children’s Emotional and Behavioral Problems," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 11(7), pages 1-14, June.
    11. R. W. Salatto & Graham R. McGinnis & Dustin W. Davis & Bryson Carrier & Jacob W. Manning & Mark DeBeliso & James W. Navalta, 2021. "Effects of Acute Beta-Alanine Ingestion and Immersion-Plus-Exercise on Connectedness to Nature and Perceived Pain," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(15), pages 1-12, July.
    12. Matthew Fraser & Sarah-Anne Munoz & Sandra MacRury, 2019. "Does the Mode of Exercise Influence the Benefits Obtained by Green Exercise?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(16), pages 1-19, August.
    13. Migle Baceviciene & Rasa Jankauskiene & Viren Swami, 2021. "Nature Exposure and Positive Body Image: A Cross–Sectional Study Examining the Mediating Roles of Physical Activity, Autonomous Motivation, Connectedness to Nature, and Perceived Restorativeness," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(22), pages 1-16, November.
    14. Melissa R. Marselle & Katherine N. Irvine & Sara L. Warber, 2013. "Walking for Well-Being: Are Group Walks in Certain Types of Natural Environments Better for Well-Being than Group Walks in Urban Environments?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 10(11), pages 1-26, October.
    15. Rosie K. Lindsay & Christina Carmichael & Peter M. Allen & Matt Fossey & Lauren Godier-McBard & Laurie Butler & Mike Trott & Shahina Pardhan & Mark A. Tully & Jason J. Wilson & Andy Torrance & Lee Smi, 2022. "Fishing Participation, Motivators and Barriers among UK Anglers with Disabilities: Opportunities and Implications for Green Social Prescribing," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(8), pages 1-10, April.
    16. Elliott P. Flowers & Paul Freeman & Valerie F. Gladwell, 2017. "The Development of Three Questionnaires to Assess Beliefs about Green Exercise," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(10), pages 1-21, October.
    17. Kerry Griffiths & Larissa Davies & Catherine Savage & Madeline Shelling & Paul Dalziel & Elizabeth Christy & Rebecca Thorby, 2023. "The Value of Recreational Physical Activity in Aotearoa New Zealand: A Scoping Review of Evidence and Implications for Social Value Measurement," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(4), pages 1-23, February.
    18. Samieul Azad & Melissa Marselle, 2025. "Thriving Through Stressful Life Events with Nature: A Mixed-Method Study on Tending Indoor Plants and Rumination Resilience," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 22(3), pages 1-37, March.
    19. Mike Rogerson & Ian Colbeck & Rachel Bragg & Adekunle Dosumu & Murray Griffin, 2020. "Affective Outcomes of Group versus Lone Green Exercise Participation," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(2), pages 1-8, January.
    20. Simon Haslinger & Daniela Huber & David Morawetz & Cornelia Blank & Johanna Prossegger & Tobias Dünnwald & Arnold Koller & Christian Fink & Arnulf Hartl & Wolfgang Schobersberger, 2019. "Feasibility of Ski Mountaineering for Patients Following a Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Descriptive Field Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(9), pages 1-19, May.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    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:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:15:p:6926-:d:1713533. 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.