Comparing the Trail Users with Trail Non-Users on Physical Activity, Sleep, Mood and Well-Being Index

Abbas Smiley, William Ramos, Layne Elliott and Stephen Wolter
Additional contact information
Abbas Smiley: Westchester Medical Center, New York Medical College, New York, NY 10595, USA
William Ramos: Recreation Park, and Tourism Studies Department, Indiana University School of Public Health-Bloomington, Bloomington, IN 47404, USA
Layne Elliott: Eppley Institute for Parks and Public Lands, Indiana University School of Public Health-Bloomington, Bloomington, IN 47404, USA
Stephen Wolter: Eppley Institute for Parks and Public Lands, Indiana University School of Public Health-Bloomington, Bloomington, IN 47404, USA

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 17, 1-13

Abstract: Background: The current study sought to understand whether trail users reported better wellness and health status compared to the non-users, and to recognize the associated factors. Methods: Eight trails from different locations and settings within Indiana were selected to sample trail users for the study. Additionally, areas surrounding these eight trails were included in the study as sample locations for trail non-users. Trail users and non-users were intercepted and asked to participate in a survey including demographics, socioeconomic status, physical activity, mood, smoking, nutrition, and quality of sleep. Information was collected and compared between the trail users and the non-users. Association of self-rated health, age, sex, race, marital status, employment, income, education, smoking, nutrition, sleep, and mood with trail use was evaluated by multivariable linear regression model. Results: The final sample size included 1299 trail users and 228 non-users. Environmental factors (access to nature and scenery) were important incentives for 97% and 95% of trail users, respectively. Age, sex, mood, and sleep quality were significantly associated with using the trail. Mean (SD) self-rated wellness and health out of 10 was 7.6 (1.4) in trail users and 6.5 (1.9) in non-users ( p < 0.0001). Importantly, trail users were significantly more physically active outside of the trail compared to the non-users (207 vs. 189 min/week respectively, p = 0.01) and had better sleep qualities and mood scores. Using the trails was significantly associated with higher self-rated wellness and health score. The longer the use of trails, the higher the self-rated wellness and health index (β = 0.016, p = 0.03). Conclusion: Compared to not using the trails, trail use was significantly associated with more physical activity, better sleep quality, and higher self-rated wellness and health.

Keywords: trail; perceived wellness and health; access to nature; outdoor scenery; sleep; physical activity (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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