Effect of a Park-Based Physical Activity Intervention on Psychological Wellbeing at the Time of COVID-19

Stefania Toselli, Laura Bragonzoni, Alessia Grigoletto, Alice Masini, Sofia Marini, Giuseppe Barone, Erika Pinelli, Raffaele Zinno, Mario Mauro, Pietro Loro Pilone, Sonia Arduini, Simona Galli, Mauro Vitiello, Bruno Vicentini, Giorgia Boldrini, Muriel Assunta Musti, Paolo Pandolfi, Maurizio Liberti, Gerardo Astorino, Pasqualino Maietta Latessa and Laura Dallolio
Additional contact information
Stefania Toselli: Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
Laura Bragonzoni: Department of Life Quality Studies, University of Bologna, 47921 Rimini, Italy
Alessia Grigoletto: Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
Alice Masini: Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
Sofia Marini: Department of Life Quality Studies, University of Bologna, 47921 Rimini, Italy
Giuseppe Barone: Department of Life Quality Studies, University of Bologna, 47921 Rimini, Italy
Erika Pinelli: Department of Life Quality Studies, University of Bologna, 47921 Rimini, Italy
Raffaele Zinno: Department of Life Quality Studies, University of Bologna, 47921 Rimini, Italy
Mario Mauro: Department of Life Quality Studies, University of Bologna, 47921 Rimini, Italy
Pietro Loro Pilone: Department of Public Health, AUSL di Bologna, 40124 Bologna, Italy
Sonia Arduini: Department of Public Health, AUSL di Bologna, 40124 Bologna, Italy
Simona Galli: Department of Public Health, AUSL di Bologna, 40124 Bologna, Italy
Mauro Vitiello: Department of Public Health, AUSL di Bologna, 40124 Bologna, Italy
Bruno Vicentini: Culture and City Promotion Department, Municipality of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
Giorgia Boldrini: Culture and City Promotion Department, Municipality of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
Muriel Assunta Musti: Department of Public Health, AUSL di Bologna, 40124 Bologna, Italy
Paolo Pandolfi: Department of Public Health, AUSL di Bologna, 40124 Bologna, Italy
Maurizio Liberti: Department of Public Health, AUSL di Bologna, 40124 Bologna, Italy
Gerardo Astorino: Department of Public Health, AUSL di Bologna, 40124 Bologna, Italy
Pasqualino Maietta Latessa: Department of Life Quality Studies, University of Bologna, 47921 Rimini, Italy
Laura Dallolio: Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 10, 1-11

Abstract: Practicing regular physical activity in green spaces has been invocated as a promising strategy for improving wellbeing in urban settings. The aim of the study was to assess the effect of a structured park-based physical activity intervention, the “Moving Parks” project, on citizens’ wellbeing at the time of COVID-19. The intervention was carried out in six public parks in Bologna (Italy) and administered by qualified instructors (from May 2021 to September 2021). The Psychological General Well Being Index short form questionnaire was administered before and after the three months of outdoor activities. A total of 328 participants completed the questionnaire at the beginning and at the end of the project. In September 2021, all psychosocial domains of the questionnaire (anxiety, depressed mood, self-control, positive well-being, vitality energy, and vitality-tiredness) significantly improved in the female sample ( p value < 0.01) and only the last two in the male sample ( p value < 0.05). The “Moving Parks” project seems to be able to improve citizens’ psychological wellbeing, particularly in women.

Keywords: citizen; green infrastructure; green urban space; park; physical activity; green exercise; health status; psychological wellbeing (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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