Sustainability of Hiking in Combination with Coaching in Cardiorespiratory Fitness and Quality of Life

Daniela Huber, Michaela Mayr, Arnulf Hartl, Sandra Sittenthaler, Eva Traut-Mattausch, Renate Weisböck-Erdheim and Johanna Freidl
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Daniela Huber: Institute of Ecomedicine, Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Strubergasse 21, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
Michaela Mayr: Institute of Ecomedicine, Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Strubergasse 21, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
Arnulf Hartl: Institute of Ecomedicine, Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Strubergasse 21, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
Sandra Sittenthaler: Zentrum für Kinder und Jugendliche e.V., 84503 Altoetting, Germany
Eva Traut-Mattausch: Department of Psychology, University of Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
Renate Weisböck-Erdheim: Institute of Ecomedicine, Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Strubergasse 21, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
Johanna Freidl: Institute of Ecomedicine, Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Strubergasse 21, 5020 Salzburg, Austria

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 7, 1-19

Abstract: Although strong evidence shows that physical inactivity and sedentary behavior are associated with many negative health outcomes, inactive lifestyles are still increasing. Consequently, new approaches must be developed to increase adherence to an active lifestyle and hence a longer life. Green exercise and health coaching could be effective ways to induce long-lasting lifestyle changes geared towards more physical activity. In this randomized controlled trial, we investigated the effects of mountain hiking and psychological coaching on adults with a sedentary lifestyle. The coaching group ( n = 26) participated in a 7-day guided hiking program with three personal coaching sessions, whereas the hiking group ( n = 32) received no coaching. The effects on aerobic capacity, spirometry and quality of life were assessed at baseline (day 0), after the intervention week (day 7) and after 80 days. Fully nonparametric statistical analysis revealed a gender-based effect for aerobic capacity—the female participants of the coaching group showed a greater improvement ( p = 0.03) than the hiking group. No significant effects were found for spirometry. Quality of life parameters improved in both groups. In conclusion, both green exercise and health coaching are capable of inducing improvements in health-related quality of life and cardiorespiratory fitness. No superior effects of health coaching were found.

Keywords: green exercise; coaching; quality of life; cardiorespiratory fitness; physical activity (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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