The Effects of Forest Healing Anti-aging Program on Physical Health of the Elderly: A Pilot Study

Baek, Ji-Eun; Shin, Ho-Jin; Kim, Sung-Hyeon; Kim, Jae Yeon; Park, Su‐Jin; Sung, Si-Yoon; Cho, Hwi-Young; Hahm, Suk-Chan; Lee, Min Goo

doi:10.13066/kspm.2021.16.2.81

Cited by 3 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 31 publications

(7 reference statements)

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“…This feature provides a special exercise stimulation for those who walk in the forest. The uneven terrain and irregular repetition of uphill and downhill slopes increase the participant's joint range of motion and stimulate the cardiovascular system [40]. We conducted a study to determine how the exercise stimulation of forest slopes affects IgA and DHEA levels.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of Exercise Intensity Differences in Forest Therapy Programs on Immunoglobulin A and Dehydroepiandrosterone Levels in Older Adults

Shin,

Kim,

You

et al. 2024

Forests

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The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of exercise intensity and the duration of an exercise-based forest therapy program on physiological changes in older adults. The forest therapy program consisted of 20 sessions over 10 weeks. Forty-one older adults aged 65 years and older were divided into no treatment (daily activity group) and experimental (forest therapy) groups. The experimental group was further divided into the medium-intensity forest exercise group and the high-intensity forest exercise group to analyze physiological changes according to exercise intensity and duration. The physiological changes were analyzed by collecting saliva and measuring changes in the levels of immunoglobulin A and dehydroepiandrosterone, a hormone used to predict aging. Changes within the daily activity group and the forest therapy group after their respective exercises were analyzed using paired t-tests. Saliva testing was performed before and in weeks 5 and 10 of the program and analyzed using a repeated measures analysis of variance to assess the effects of the forest therapy on the medium-intensity forest exercise group and the high-intensity forest exercise group based on the duration of exercise. As a result of the study, a significant increase in immunoglobulin A was observed in the medium-intensity forest exercise group. The daily activity group and the high-intensity forest exercise group showed an increase, but there was very little change and no significance. Changes in dehydroepiandrosterone decreased in the daily activity group and significantly increased in the moderate-intensity forest exercise group at 5 and 10 weeks, showing that regular moderate-intensity forest exercise has an effect on dehydroepiandrosterone. The high-intensity forest exercise group improved over time, but no significant level of change was observed. This study shows that forest exercise has a beneficial effect on immunoglobulin A and dehydroepiandrosterone levels in older adults.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of Exercise Intensity Differences in Forest Therapy Programs on Immunoglobulin A and Dehydroepiandrosterone Levels in Older Adults

Shin,

Kim,

You

et al. 2024

Forests

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Accelerating the Nature Deficit or Enhancing the Nature-Based Human Health during the Pandemic Era: An International Study in Cambodia, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, and Myanmar, following the Start of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Lee

Cheng²,

Syamsi

et al. 2022

Forests

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In modern society, the opportunity to experience nature is separate from everyday life, requiring time and effort. Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, restrictions on freedom of activity and communication around the world have become a crisis, causing a nature deficit by accelerating the process of separation from nature. At the same time, the pandemic has increased people’s motivation to return to nature, providing an opportunity to seek experiences and health recovery in nature. The authors conducted an international cross-sectional study in five Asian countries, investigating changes in the perception of recreational activities and health restoration in the natural environment, one of the many effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on human society. An online survey, completed by 524 respondents, has confirmed the efficacy of the SEM model, which includes COVID-19 stress, increased indoor activity, a preference for the natural environment, and the perception of health recovery. Although the five countries had different response values for each theme, the stress caused by restricted activities and communication during the pandemic was linked to a preference for natural experiences and the motivation to visit natural environments in all five countries, ultimately affecting perceptions of health recovery in nature. This study has shown that the COVID-19 pandemic, a disaster afflicting all human civilization, has changed people’s perceptions by enhancing their preference for natural recreational activities and health. It has accelerated people’s return to nature and fostered a positive perception of nature’s ability to promote good health.

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Impact of COVID-19 Lock-Downs on Nature Connection in Southern and Eastern Africa

Lee

Mkandawire²,

Niyigena³

et al. 2022

Land

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The response of African countries immediately after the COVID-19 pandemic declaration was rapid and appropriate, with low infections and mortality rates until June 2020. Severe lock-down measures were effective in Africa; however, the reduction in the amount of natural experience influences the quality of life in modern society. This study is conducted as an international comparative study in five African countries on changes in the perception of health recovery and outdoor activities in urban forests during the COVID-19 pandemic. An online survey was conducted with 430 respondents to investigate the relationships between COVID-19 stress, indoor activity, appreciation of greenspaces, perception of health recovery, and use of greenspaces. A structural equation model was used for analysis. The visit frequency and staying time in urban forests after lock-down dramatically decreased, raising concerns about nature-deficit disorder across the target countries after the end of the pandemic. This study confirmed urban dwellers’ desire for natural experiences and health recovery during the pandemic and predicts an explosive increase in urban forest utilization after the pandemic has ended.

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The Effects of Forest Healing Anti-aging Program on Physical Health of the Elderly: A Pilot Study

Cited by 3 publications

References 31 publications

Effects of Exercise Intensity Differences in Forest Therapy Programs on Immunoglobulin A and Dehydroepiandrosterone Levels in Older Adults

Effects of Exercise Intensity Differences in Forest Therapy Programs on Immunoglobulin A and Dehydroepiandrosterone Levels in Older Adults

Accelerating the Nature Deficit or Enhancing the Nature-Based Human Health during the Pandemic Era: An International Study in Cambodia, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, and Myanmar, following the Start of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Impact of COVID-19 Lock-Downs on Nature Connection in Southern and Eastern Africa

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