Long-Term Effects of Mountain Hiking vs. Forest Therapy on Physical and Mental Health of Couples: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Daniela Huber, Johanna Freidl, Christina Pichler, Michael Bischof, Martin Kiem, Renate Weisböck-Erdheim, Gabriella Squarra, Vincenzo De Nigris, Stefan Resnyak, Marcel Neberich, Susanna Bordin, René Zechner and Arnulf Hartl ()
Additional contact information
Daniela Huber: Institute of Ecomedicine, Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
Johanna Freidl: Institute of Ecomedicine, Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
Christina Pichler: Institute of Ecomedicine, Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
Michael Bischof: Institute of Ecomedicine, Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
Martin Kiem: Certified Nature and Forest Therapy Guide, 39010 Tisens, Italy
Renate Weisböck-Erdheim: Institute of Ecomedicine, Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
Gabriella Squarra: Certified Forest-Health-Trainer, 83435 Bad Reichenhall, Germany
Vincenzo De Nigris: Institute of Sports Medicine, South Tyrol Health Authority, 39100 Bozen, Italy
Stefan Resnyak: Institute of Sports Medicine, South Tyrol Health Authority, 39100 Bozen, Italy
Marcel Neberich: Institute of Ecomedicine, Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
Susanna Bordin: Institute of Ecomedicine, Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
René Zechner: Institute of Ecomedicine, Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
Arnulf Hartl: Institute of Ecomedicine, Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 20, issue 2, 1-20

Abstract: Background: Lifelong physical activity is related to longer health span, which is reflected at an individual level, and is of substantial socioeconomic relevance. Sedentary lifestyles, on the other hand, pose an increasingly major public health problem. In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic had a negative impact on activity levels and well-being. Previous research indicates that contact with nature might improve exercise levels as well as well-being. Methods: This randomized, controlled clinical trial (ANKER-study) investigated the effects of two types of nature-based therapies (forest therapy and mountain hiking) in couples (FTG: n = 23; HG: n = 22;) with a sedentary or inactive lifestyle on health-related quality of life, relationship quality and other psychological and physiological parameters. Results: The results of this study displayed that healthy and highly functioning women and men with sedentary lifestyles mentally benefit from contact with nature (quality of life, satisfaction with life, mood, internal and external health-related control beliefs). The gender-specific effect on women is most visible in the physiological outcomes (hemopoietic system, aerobic capacity, skeletal muscle mass and hydration) of mountain hiking. Men and women showed small improvements in blood pressure as a result of the interventions. Conclusions: The ANKER-study provides a method for valid comparison of forest therapy interventions for the first time. Regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, the nature-based intervention presented could offer a multimodal contribution to maintaining a more active lifestyle, further contact with nature that affects peoples physical as well as mental health, and an improvement in social interaction.

Keywords: nature-based therapy; health-promoting interventions; green exercise; mountain hiking; forest therapy; sedentary lifestyle; climate therapy; health-related quality of life (HRQOL); quality of relationship; psychological and physiological parameters; COVID-19 pandemic; ANKER-study (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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