Psychological benefits of outdoor physical activity in natural versus urban environments: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of experimental studies

Abstract

The impact of environmental context on the psychological benefits derived from physical activity has attracted research attention in recent years. Previous reviews have compared effects of indoor versus outdoor exercise. This review compares the effects of physical activity undertaken in outdoor green natural environments versus outdoor urban environments on psychological health outcomes in adult general populations. An electronic literature search identified 24 experimental studies meeting the inclusion criteria. Results were analysed via narrative synthesis (n = 24) and meta‐analysis (n = 9) of effect on six outcomes. Narrative synthesis found in favour of the natural environment for anxiety, anger/hostility, energy, affect and positive engagement. Post‐intervention effect sizes suggested duration and social context as potential moderators. The meta‐analyses revealed large or moderate effects in favour of the natural environment for anxiety, fatigue, positive affect and vigour, and a small effect for depression. Results were subject to high risk of bias and heterogeneity. Physical activity undertaken outdoors in natural environments is more beneficial for a range of psychological outcomes compared with urban environments. The various effect sizes evident in the meta‐analyses may be explained by differing mechanisms through which psychological gains are experienced during physical activity in nature.

Biodiversity for resilience—What is needed for allergic children

“…Importantly, exercise does not increase inflammation in them, on the contrary 60 . Of special biodiversity interest, although concerning adults, is a review of 24 experimental studies focusing on physical activity in different environments 61 . The meta‐analysis revealed favorable effects of the natural environment for anxiety, fatigue, vigor, and depression.…”

Enriched Environment Attenuates Enhanced Trait Anxiety in Association with Normalization of Aberrant Neuro-Inflammatory Events

“…[ 10 , 11 , 12 ]. Indeed, a meta-analysis study showed that exposure to natural environments was associated with a moderate increase in positive affect and a smaller, yet consistent, decrease in negative affect relative to comparison conditions [ 13 , 14 ]. Additionally, lower immune activation was observed following social stress in rural compared to urban participants raised with regular or no animal contact, respectively [ 15 ].…”

The Impact of the Coronavirus Pandemic on the Contribution of Local Green Space and Nature Connection to Mental Health

“…Furthermore, the relationship between nature connection and mental well-being has been found in both the general population and those experiencing mental ill-heath [ 44 , 45 , 46 ], further demonstrating the potential importance of this construct. Whilst nature connection was not significantly associated with anxiety, previous research has proposed that the nature–health relationship may differ between mental health conditions [ 46 , 47 ]. Anxiety is more likely to be caused by things happening in the present moment, with different physiological effects from depression [ 48 , 49 ].…”