plethora of evidence supporting the benefits of regular exercise, recent research has highlighted the importance of the environment in which physical activity takes place. Studies have indicated that exercising in a natural setting, such as a park, has greater advantages compared to indoor exercise.
This is due to the fact that natural environments provide additional psychological and physiological benefits that indoor settings cannot offer. Being in nature has been shown to reduce stress, improve mood, and increase feelings of revitalization and satisfaction. Additionally, exposure to nature has been linked to improved cognitive function and attention.
Therefore, while exercise in any form is beneficial for overall health, incorporating outdoor physical activity into one’s routine can offer even greater advantages. So, next time you’re planning your workout, consider taking it outside for the added benefits of nature.
Despite these advantages, over 75% of adults in the United States do not meet the recommended levels of physical activity, which is 150 to 300 minutes of moderate physical activity per week or 75 to 150 minutes of vigorous physical activity per week. Research has shown that outdoor environments, such as parks and trails, are effective places for physical activity, and the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of this. Additionally, being in nature offers similar physical and mental health benefits to engaging in physical activity. However, there is limited knowledge about any additional benefits of exercising in natural settings.The study, published by Maddock and Frumkin, aims to explore the impact of outdoor activities on exercise and how health professionals can encourage more people to engage in outdoor physical activities. Jay Maddock, a Regents Professor at Texas A&M University’s School of Public Health, and Howard Frumkin, a Hagler Fellow and senior vice president and director of the Land and People Lab, collaborated to evaluate the existing scientific evidence on physical activity in natural settings and to devise methods for promoting such activities.The American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine published a study that looked into the factors influencing how frequently people visit parks and natural settings, as well as their level of physical activity while there and the benefits they derive from it. Maddock and Frumkin’s research indicates that exercising in a park or natural environment is more advantageous than exercising indoors. However, it is important to note that the studies they reviewed focused on short-term outcomes, and the long-term benefits are still uncertain. Despite this, the research makes it clear that natural environments have positive effects.settings can be a great way to encourage physical activity,” stated Maddock. “Most people like being outside and prefer parks, trails, and community gardens as their top choices.” Factors that make these places more appealing to visitors include physical aspects like community centers, playgrounds, good lighting, and clear signs, as well as natural features like well-maintained tree canopies and bodies of water. Activities such as classes and festivals also add to their popularity, along with a welcoming atmosphere, a sense of safety, and visitors feeling connected to nature.
It is crucial to spend time in these areas.
“Parks and trails are especially important because they are easily accessible and widely available, but the level of access varies greatly depending on the location. Rural areas often have less access to natural spaces due to a higher amount of privately owned land,” Maddock stated. “For instance, nearly 98 percent of Illinois residents live within half a mile of a park, while only 29 percent of Mississippi residents have the same access.”
Maddock and Frumkin’s research also showed that the use of parks and green spaces for physical activity differs among different demographic groups, with men being more likely than women to utilize these areas for physical exercise.The city. Additionally, a research study conducted on parks in Los Angeles discovered that Black adults are not as inclined as white adults to partake in physical activities in parks, while English-speaking Latinos have an equal likelihood and Asian/Pacific Islanders are even more likely.
“Certain groups, such as Black, Indigenous, and other individuals of color, as well as immigrant and refugee populations, have often faced historical or ongoing discrimination that obstructs their use of natural areas, and they generally have limited access to top-quality parks,” Frumkin explained. “Furthermore, children, the elderly, and individuals with disabilities encounter difficulties in accessing natural areas.By ensuring that these areas are safe and easily accessible, through appropriate programming, could potentially increase their utilization of parks and other natural environments.”
Considering these complexities, Maddock and Frumkin propose four strategies that healthcare professionals could adopt to promote the use of parks and other natural environments by their patients.
One approach is to simply “prescribe” nature exposure to patients.
“Encouraging patients to spend more time in these environments is referred to as nature prescriptions or ‘ParkRx,’ and although more research is is needed, the current studies indicate that this approach may be effective.””Each approach is effective,” Maddock stated. Another method involves health professionals setting an example by engaging in the behavior themselves. Research has shown that this modeling is effective in promoting healthy habits and also benefits the well-being of the health professionals. A third strategy is for health professionals to participate in community activities that encourage the use of outdoor areas, such as the Be Well Communities initiative in Houston, which receives support from the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. Lastly, health professionals could contribute to the creation and upkeep of parks and green spaces by directing funding to these initiatives through Community Health.The use of parks and natural settings for physical activities could be a powerful tool for promoting important health behaviors, according to Maddock. This is especially important because most Americans do not get enough exercise or spend enough time outdoors. Needs assessments, Medicaid funds, and funds from health care conversion foundations are all crucial in addressing this issue.
