Physical and Emotional Benefits of Different Exercise Environments Designed for Treadmill Running

Hsiao-Pu Yeh, Joseph A. Stone, Sarah M. Churchill, Eric Brymer and Keith Davids
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Hsiao-Pu Yeh: Centre for Sports Engineering Research, Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield S10 2BP, UK
Joseph A. Stone: Academy of Sport and Physical Activity, Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield S10 2BP, UK
Sarah M. Churchill: Academy of Sport and Physical Activity, Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield S10 2BP, UK
Eric Brymer: Institute of Sport, Physical Activity and Leisure, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds LS1 3HE, UK
Keith Davids: Centre for Sports Engineering Research, Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield S10 2BP, UK

IJERPH, 2017, vol. 14, issue 7, 1-11

Abstract: (1) Background: Green physical activity promotes physical health and mental wellbeing and interesting questions concern effects of this information on designing indoor exercise environments. This study examined the physical and emotional effects of different nature-based environments designed for indoor treadmill running; (2) Methods: In a counterbalanced experimental design, 30 participants performed three, twenty-minute treadmill runs at a self-selected pace while viewing either a static nature image, a dynamic nature image or self-selected entertainment. Distance ran, heart rate (HR) and five pre-and post-exercise emotional states were measured; (3) Results: Participants ran farther, and with higher HRs, with self-selected entertainment compared to the two nature-based environment designs. Participants attained lowered anger, dejection, anxiety and increased excitement post exercise in all of the designed environments. Happiness increased during the two nature-based environment designs compared with self-selected entertainment; (4) Conclusions: Self-selected entertainment encouraged greater physical performances whereas running in nature-based exercise environments elicited greater happiness immediately after running.

Keywords: green physical activity; environmental design; happiness; ecological dynamics; indoor exercise environments (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2017
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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