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Dr. Jo Barton
University of Essex

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Research article
Published: 03 March 2021 in Journal of Health Psychology
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This study assessed physical activity (PA) and wellbeing during lockdown. UK adults reported their PA in the previous week, perception of PA importance (more, less, same) and wellbeing, depression, anxiety and stress. One-way ANOVA compared PA and wellbeing by PA importance. The ‘less’ importance group did less PA than the ‘more’ and ‘same’ ( p < 0.05) importance group; and scored worse on all wellbeing measures than the ‘same’ importance group ( p < 0.01). They also had worse wellbeing, depression and anxiety than the ‘more’ importance group ( p < 0.05). Strategies to overcome the impact of the pandemic should aim to increase PA.

ACS Style

Carly J Wood; Jo Barton; Nina Smyth. A cross-sectional study of physical activity behaviour and associations with wellbeing during the UK coronavirus lockdown. Journal of Health Psychology 2021, 1 .

AMA Style

Carly J Wood, Jo Barton, Nina Smyth. A cross-sectional study of physical activity behaviour and associations with wellbeing during the UK coronavirus lockdown. Journal of Health Psychology. 2021; ():1.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Carly J Wood; Jo Barton; Nina Smyth. 2021. "A cross-sectional study of physical activity behaviour and associations with wellbeing during the UK coronavirus lockdown." Journal of Health Psychology , no. : 1.

Journal article
Published: 23 October 2020 in International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
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A number of countries have begun to adopt prevention pays policies and practices to reduce pressure on health and social care systems. Most affluent countries have seen substantial increases in the incidence and costs of non-communicable diseases. The interest in social models for health has led to the growth in use of social prescribing and psychological therapies. At the same time, there has been growth in application of a variety of nature-based and mind–body interventions (NBIs and MBIs) aimed at improving health and longevity. We assess four NBI/MBI programmes (woodland therapy, therapeutic horticulture, ecotherapy/green care, and tai chi) on life satisfaction/happiness and costs of use of public services. These interventions produce rises in life satisfaction/happiness of 1.00 pts to 7.29 (n = 644; p < 0.001) (for courses or participation >50 h). These increases are greater than many positive life events (e.g., marriage or a new child); few countries or cities see +1 pt increases over a decade. The net present economic benefits per person from reduced public service use are £830–£31,520 (after 1 year) and £6450–£11,980 (after 10 years). We conclude that NBIs and MBIs can play a role in helping to reduce the costs on health systems, while increasing the well-being of participants.

ACS Style

Jules Pretty; Jo Barton. Nature-Based Interventions and Mind–Body Interventions: Saving Public Health Costs Whilst Increasing Life Satisfaction and Happiness. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2020, 17, 7769 .

AMA Style

Jules Pretty, Jo Barton. Nature-Based Interventions and Mind–Body Interventions: Saving Public Health Costs Whilst Increasing Life Satisfaction and Happiness. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2020; 17 (21):7769.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Jules Pretty; Jo Barton. 2020. "Nature-Based Interventions and Mind–Body Interventions: Saving Public Health Costs Whilst Increasing Life Satisfaction and Happiness." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 17, no. 21: 7769.

Journal article
Published: 27 February 2020 in International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
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This study investigated the efficacy of medium-term Green Exercise (GE; being physically active within a natural environment) interventions for improving wellbeing, by pooling data collected at the start and end of participants’ engagement with a range of GE interventions. Hypotheses were that (i) interventions would show good efficacy for improving wellbeing in the overall sample; (ii) compared to participants reporting ‘average to high’ wellbeing at the start of their project, participants with ‘low’ starting wellbeing would report greater improvements post-intervention; and (iii) improvements would significantly differ between age groups. The pooled dataset was categorized in line with UK norms (n = 318) and analyzed using a standardized meta-analysis approach. Effect size was large: g = 0.812 (95% CI [0.599, 1.025]), and differences in wellbeing changes associated with project duration, age or sex were not statistically significant. Compared to those reporting ‘average-high’ starting wellbeing, participants reporting ‘low’ starting wellbeing exhibited greater improvements (BCa 95% CI [−31.8, −26.5]), with 60.8% moving into the ‘average-high’ wellbeing category. GE can play an important role in facilitating wellbeing and can provide alternative pathways for health and social care practice. Public health commissioners should consider integrating such interventions for patients experiencing low wellbeing or associated comorbidities.

ACS Style

Mike Rogerson; Carly Wood; Jules Pretty; Patrick Schoenmakers; Dan Bloomfield; Jo Barton. Regular Doses of Nature: The Efficacy of Green Exercise Interventions for Mental Wellbeing. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2020, 17, 1526 .

AMA Style

Mike Rogerson, Carly Wood, Jules Pretty, Patrick Schoenmakers, Dan Bloomfield, Jo Barton. Regular Doses of Nature: The Efficacy of Green Exercise Interventions for Mental Wellbeing. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2020; 17 (5):1526.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Mike Rogerson; Carly Wood; Jules Pretty; Patrick Schoenmakers; Dan Bloomfield; Jo Barton. 2020. "Regular Doses of Nature: The Efficacy of Green Exercise Interventions for Mental Wellbeing." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 17, no. 5: 1526.

Journal article
Published: 01 November 2017 in BJPsych International
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There is an urgent global need for accessible and cost-effective pro-mental health infrastructure. Public green spaces were officially designated in the 19th century, informed by a belief that they might provide health benefits. We outline modern research evidence that greenspace can play a pivotal role in population-level mental health.

ACS Style

Jo Barton; Mike Rogerson. The importance of greenspace for mental health. BJPsych International 2017, 14, 79 -81.

AMA Style

Jo Barton, Mike Rogerson. The importance of greenspace for mental health. BJPsych International. 2017; 14 (4):79-81.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Jo Barton; Mike Rogerson. 2017. "The importance of greenspace for mental health." BJPsych International 14, no. 4: 79-81.

Journal article
Published: 30 June 2017 in International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
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We propose a Green Mind Theory (GMT) to link the human mind with the brain and body, and connect the body into natural and social environments. The processes are reciprocal: environments shape bodies, brains, and minds; minds change body behaviours that shape the external environment. GMT offers routes to improved individual well-being whilst building towards greener economies. It builds upon research on green exercise and nature-based therapies, and draws on understanding derived from neuroscience and brain plasticity, spiritual and wisdom traditions, the lifeways of original cultures, and material consumption behaviours. We set out a simple metaphor for brain function: a bottom brain stem that is fast-acting, involuntary, impulsive, and the driver of fight and flight behaviours; a top brain cortex that is slower, voluntary, the centre for learning, and the driver of rest and digest. The bottom brain reacts before thought and directs the sympathetic nervous system. The top brain is calming, directing the parasympathetic nervous system. Here, we call the top brain blue and the bottom brain red; too much red brain is bad for health. In modern high-consumption economies, life has often come to be lived on red alert. An over-active red mode impacts the gastrointestinal, immune, cardiovascular, and endocrine systems. We develop our knowledge of nature-based interventions, and suggest a framework for the blue brain-red brain-green mind. We show how activities involving immersive-attention quieten internal chatter, how habits affect behaviours across the lifecourse, how long habits take to be formed and hard-wired into daily practice, the role of place making, and finally how green minds could foster prosocial and greener economies. We conclude with observations on twelve research priorities and health interventions, and ten calls to action.

ACS Style

Jules Pretty; Mike Rogerson; Jo Barton. Green Mind Theory: How Brain-Body-Behaviour Links into Natural and Social Environments for Healthy Habits. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2017, 14, 706 .

AMA Style

Jules Pretty, Mike Rogerson, Jo Barton. Green Mind Theory: How Brain-Body-Behaviour Links into Natural and Social Environments for Healthy Habits. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2017; 14 (7):706.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Jules Pretty; Mike Rogerson; Jo Barton. 2017. "Green Mind Theory: How Brain-Body-Behaviour Links into Natural and Social Environments for Healthy Habits." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 14, no. 7: 706.

Journal article
Published: 25 March 2016 in International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
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This study addressed a methodological gap by comparing psychological and social outcomes of exercise in green outdoors versus built indoors settings, whilst rigorously controlling exercise mode and intensity. The hypotheses were that greater improvements or more desirable values for directed attention, mood, perceived exertion, social interaction time, intention for future exercise behaviour and enjoyment would be associated with outdoors compared to indoors exercise. Following a baseline session, paired participants completed two conditions of 15 min of cycling on an ergometer placed outside in a natural environment and inside in a laboratory setting in a randomized, counter-balanced order. At pre- and post-exercise, directed attention was measured with the digit span backwards task, and mood was assessed with the Profile of Mood States. During the exercise session, visual and verbal interactions were recorded by means of experimenter observations. After each exercise session, participants provided self-reports of their enjoyment of the exercise, perceived exertion and intention for future exercise in the same environment. Social interaction time was significantly greater during outdoors exercise versus indoors; on average, participants engaged in three minutes more social interaction during exercise outdoors compared to indoors. Social interaction time significantly predicted intention for future exercise in the outdoors condition, but did not in the indoor condition. There was a significant time by condition interaction for directed attention. Scores worsened in the indoors condition, but improved in the outdoors condition. There was no statistically-significant time by condition interaction for mood and no significant difference between conditions for either perceived exertion or intention. Taken together, these findings show that exercise in a natural environment may promote directed attention and social interactions, which may positively influence future exercise intentions.

ACS Style

Mike Rogerson; Valerie F. Gladwell; Daniel J. Gallagher; Jo L. Barton. Influences of Green Outdoors versus Indoors Environmental Settings on Psychological and Social Outcomes of Controlled Exercise. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2016, 13, 363 .

AMA Style

Mike Rogerson, Valerie F. Gladwell, Daniel J. Gallagher, Jo L. Barton. Influences of Green Outdoors versus Indoors Environmental Settings on Psychological and Social Outcomes of Controlled Exercise. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2016; 13 (4):363.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Mike Rogerson; Valerie F. Gladwell; Daniel J. Gallagher; Jo L. Barton. 2016. "Influences of Green Outdoors versus Indoors Environmental Settings on Psychological and Social Outcomes of Controlled Exercise." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 13, no. 4: 363.

Journal article
Published: 24 November 2015 in International Journal of Environmental Health Research
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This study’s aim was to identify the relative contribution of sight, sound and smell to the Green Exercise effect. It was hypothesised that visual occlusion while exercising in a natural environment would have the greatest diminishing effect on perceived exertion and mood compared to auditory and olfactory occlusion. Twenty-nine healthy participants were randomly assigned to one of the three groups: visual (n = 10), auditory (n = 9) and olfactory occlusion (n = 10). Each performed six, 5-min bouts of exercise alternating between full sensory and occlusion. Rate of perceived exertion (RPE), heart rate (HR) and mood were recorded at the end of each bout. Sensory-occlusion increased mood, RPE and HR; effects were strongest when sounds were blocked but virtually absent when vision was blocked. During sensory occlusion, mood changes were characterised by increased Fatigue and Confusion, and reduced Vigour. Reductions in Tension and Vigour and increases in Fatigue were found during full sensory exercise, consistent with previous research findings.

ACS Style

John-James Wooller; Jo Barton; Valerie F Gladwell; Dominic Micklewright. Occlusion of sight, sound and smell during Green Exercise influences mood, perceived exertion and heart rate. International Journal of Environmental Health Research 2015, 26, 1 -14.

AMA Style

John-James Wooller, Jo Barton, Valerie F Gladwell, Dominic Micklewright. Occlusion of sight, sound and smell during Green Exercise influences mood, perceived exertion and heart rate. International Journal of Environmental Health Research. 2015; 26 (3):1-14.

Chicago/Turabian Style

John-James Wooller; Jo Barton; Valerie F Gladwell; Dominic Micklewright. 2015. "Occlusion of sight, sound and smell during Green Exercise influences mood, perceived exertion and heart rate." International Journal of Environmental Health Research 26, no. 3: 1-14.

Journal article
Published: 30 June 2015 in International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
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Green exercise research often reports psychological health outcomes without rigorously controlling exercise. This study examines effects of visual exercise environments on directed attention, perceived exertion and time to exhaustion, whilst measuring and controlling the exercise component. Participants completed three experimental conditions in a randomized counterbalanced order. Conditions varied by video content viewed (nature; built; control) during two consistently-ordered exercise bouts (Exercise 1: 60% VO2peakInt for 15-mins; Exercise 2: 85% VO2peakInt to voluntary exhaustion). In each condition, participants completed modified Backwards Digit Span tests (a measure of directed attention) pre- and post-Exercise 1. Energy expenditure, respiratory exchange ratio and perceived exertion were measured during both exercise bouts. Time to exhaustion in Exercise 2 was also recorded. There was a significant time by condition interaction for Backwards Digit Span scores (F2,22 = 6.267, p = 0.007). Scores significantly improved in the nature condition (p < 0.001) but did not in the built or control conditions. There were no significant differences between conditions for either perceived exertion or physiological measures during either Exercise 1 or Exercise 2, or for time to exhaustion in Exercise 2. This was the first study to demonstrate effects of controlled exercise conducted in different visual environments on post-exercise directed attention. Via psychological mechanisms alone, visual nature facilitates attention restoration during moderate-intensity exercise.

ACS Style

Mike Rogerson; Jo Barton. Effects of the Visual Exercise Environments on Cognitive Directed Attention, Energy Expenditure and Perceived Exertion. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2015, 12, 7321 -7336.

AMA Style

Mike Rogerson, Jo Barton. Effects of the Visual Exercise Environments on Cognitive Directed Attention, Energy Expenditure and Perceived Exertion. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2015; 12 (7):7321-7336.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Mike Rogerson; Jo Barton. 2015. "Effects of the Visual Exercise Environments on Cognitive Directed Attention, Energy Expenditure and Perceived Exertion." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 12, no. 7: 7321-7336.

Papers
Published: 11 February 2015 in International Journal of Environmental Health Research
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Increases in gross domestic product (GDP) beyond a threshold of basic needs do not lead to further increases in well-being. An explanation is that material consumption (MC) also results in negative health externalities. We assess how these externalities influence six factors critical for well-being: (i) healthy food; (ii) active body; (iii) healthy mind; (iv) community links; (v) contact with nature; and (vi) attachment to possessions. If environmentally sustainable consumption (ESC) were increasingly substituted for MC, thus improving well-being and stocks of natural and social capital, and sustainable behaviours involving non-material consumption (SBs-NMC) became more prevalent, then well-being would increase regardless of levels of GDP. In the UK, the individualised annual health costs of negative consumption externalities (NCEs) currently amount to £62 billion for the National Health Service, and £184 billion for the economy (for mental ill-health, dementia, obesity, physical inactivity, diabetes, loneliness and cardiovascular disease). A dividend is available if substitution by ESC and SBs-NMC could limit the prevalence of these conditions.

ACS Style

Jules Pretty; Jo Barton; Zareen Pervez Bharucha; Rachel Bragg; David Pencheon; Carly Wood; Michael H. Depledge. Improving health and well-being independently of GDP: dividends of greener and prosocial economies. International Journal of Environmental Health Research 2015, 26, 11 -36.

AMA Style

Jules Pretty, Jo Barton, Zareen Pervez Bharucha, Rachel Bragg, David Pencheon, Carly Wood, Michael H. Depledge. Improving health and well-being independently of GDP: dividends of greener and prosocial economies. International Journal of Environmental Health Research. 2015; 26 (1):11-36.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Jules Pretty; Jo Barton; Zareen Pervez Bharucha; Rachel Bragg; David Pencheon; Carly Wood; Michael H. Depledge. 2015. "Improving health and well-being independently of GDP: dividends of greener and prosocial economies." International Journal of Environmental Health Research 26, no. 1: 11-36.

Randomized controlled trial
Published: 29 September 2014 in PLOS ONE
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School playtime provides daily opportunities for children to be active outdoors, but only makes small contributions to physical activity (PA) requirements. Natural environments facilitate unstructured PA and children report a preference for play in nature. Thus, play on the school field might encourage children to be more active during playtime. The primary aim of this study was to examine the impact of the school playing environment on children's PA. Descriptive data and fitness were assessed in 25 children aged 8–9 years from a single primary school. Over two consecutive weeks participants were allocated to either play on the school field or playground during playtime. The order of play in the two areas was randomised and counterbalanced. Moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA) was assessed during playtime on the last two days of each week using accelerometers. There was a significant interaction of environment and sex on MVPA during morning play (F(1,22) = 6.27; P0.05; np 2 = 0.060) or all of playtime combined (P>0.05; np 2 = 0.140). During morning play boys were significantly more active than girls on the playground (t(23) = 1.32; P0.05; n2 = 0.071). For lunch (F(1,22) = 24,11; P<0.001; np 2 = 0.523) and all of playtime combined (F(1,22) = 33.67; P<0.001; np 2 = 0.616) there was a significant effect of environment. There was also a significant main effect of sex during lunch (F(1,22) = 11.56; P<0.01; np 2 = 0.344) and all of playtime combined (F(1,22) = 12.37; P<0.01; np 2 = 0.371). MVPA was higher on the field and boys were more active than girls. Play on the field leads to increases in MVPA, particularly in girls. The promising trend for the effect of the natural environment on MVPA indicates that interventions aimed at increasing MVPA should use the natural environment and that schools should encourage greater use of their natural areas to increase PA.

ACS Style

Carly Wood; Valerie Gladwell; Jo Barton. A Repeated Measures Experiment of School Playing Environment to Increase Physical Activity and Enhance Self-Esteem in UK School Children. PLOS ONE 2014, 9, e108701 .

AMA Style

Carly Wood, Valerie Gladwell, Jo Barton. A Repeated Measures Experiment of School Playing Environment to Increase Physical Activity and Enhance Self-Esteem in UK School Children. PLOS ONE. 2014; 9 (9):e108701.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Carly Wood; Valerie Gladwell; Jo Barton. 2014. "A Repeated Measures Experiment of School Playing Environment to Increase Physical Activity and Enhance Self-Esteem in UK School Children." PLOS ONE 9, no. 9: e108701.

Journal article
Published: 14 April 2014 in International Journal of Environmental Health Research
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School playtime provides opportunities for children to engage in physical activity (PA). Playground playtime interventions designed to increase PA have produced differing results. However, nature can also promote PA, through the provision of large open spaces for activity. The purpose of this study is to determine which playtime interventions are most effective at increasing moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and if this varies by school location. Fifty-two children from an urban and rural school participated in a playground sports (PS) and nature-based orienteering intervention during playtime for one week. MVPA was assessed the day before and on the final day of the interventions using accelerometers. Intervention type (p < 0.05) and school location (p < 0.001) significantly influenced MVPA; with PS increasing MVPA more than nature-based orienteering. Urban children seemed to respond to the interventions more positively; however, differences in baseline MVPA might influence these changes. There was a positive correlation for fitness and MVPA during PS (r = 0.32; p < 0.05), but not nature-based orienteering (p > 0.05). The provision of PS influences PA the most; however, a variety of interventions are required to engage less fit children in PA

ACS Style

Jo Barton; Gavin Sandercock; Jules Pretty; Carly Wood. The effect of playground- and nature-based playtime interventions on physical activity and self-esteem in UK school children. International Journal of Environmental Health Research 2014, 25, 196 -206.

AMA Style

Jo Barton, Gavin Sandercock, Jules Pretty, Carly Wood. The effect of playground- and nature-based playtime interventions on physical activity and self-esteem in UK school children. International Journal of Environmental Health Research. 2014; 25 (2):196-206.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Jo Barton; Gavin Sandercock; Jules Pretty; Carly Wood. 2014. "The effect of playground- and nature-based playtime interventions on physical activity and self-esteem in UK school children." International Journal of Environmental Health Research 25, no. 2: 196-206.

Randomized controlled trial
Published: 13 March 2014 in Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment & Health
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Objectives The primary aim of this study was to examine the impact of physical activity (PA) in the natural environment (eg, "green exercise") on resting autonomic function in the Walks4Work intervention. A secondary aim was to assess the feasibility of Walks4Work in terms of adherence, change in PA levels, and cardiovascular health parameters. Methods In an 8-week randomized control trial, 94 office workers in an international company were allocated to one of three groups: control, nature (NW), or built (BW) lunchtime walking route. Both walking groups were required to undertake two lunchtime walks each week. The NW route centered around trees, maintained grass, and public footpaths. In contrast, the BW consisted of pavement routes through housing estates and industrial areas. Data were collected at baseline and following the intervention. To investigate the impact of the intervention, mixed-design analysis of variance (ANOVA) were performed. Results A total of 73 participants completed the intervention (drop-out rate of 22%). No difference was observed in resting autonomic function between the groups. Self-reported mental health improved for the NW group only. PA levels increased at the intervention mid-point for all groups combined but adherence to the intervention was low with rates of 42% and 43% within the BW and NW groups, respectively. Conclusion Accompanying a guideline of two active lunchtimes per week with low facilitator input appears inadequate for increasing the number of active lunchtimes and modifying cardiovascular health parameters in an office population. However, this population fell within normal ranges for cardiovascular measures and future research should consider investigating at-risk populations, particularly hypertensive individuals

ACS Style

Daniel K Brown; Jo Barton; Jules Pretty; Valerie F Gladwell. Walks4Work: Assessing the role of the natural environment in a workplace physical activity intervention. Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment & Health 2014, 40, 390 -399.

AMA Style

Daniel K Brown, Jo Barton, Jules Pretty, Valerie F Gladwell. Walks4Work: Assessing the role of the natural environment in a workplace physical activity intervention. Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment & Health. 2014; 40 (4):390-399.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Daniel K Brown; Jo Barton; Jules Pretty; Valerie F Gladwell. 2014. "Walks4Work: Assessing the role of the natural environment in a workplace physical activity intervention." Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment & Health 40, no. 4: 390-399.

Journal article
Published: 01 January 2014 in International Journal of Environment and Health
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Natural environments promote physical activity (PA) and are psychologically restorative. In adults, performing PA in nature provides additive benefits for self-esteem (SE). Studies in adolescents indicate no such effect. However, they have not examined the effect of interaction with natural environments. The aim of this study was to analyse the effects of exercising in natural and built environments on adolescent PA and SE. Sixty adolescents participated in a natural and built orienteering course in a randomised order. PA was assessed throughout whilst SE was assessed pre- and post-intervention. There was a significant effect for PA due to environment (P < 0.001) and sex (P < 0.01). Almost half the time in the natural environment was spent in moderate to vigorous PA, compared to a quarter in the built. The PA significantly improved SE (P < 0.05); however there was no environmental effect (P > 0.05). Natural environments should be used as a tool for engaging adolescents in PA.

ACS Style

Carly Wood; G. Sandercock; Jo Barton. Interactions between physical activity and the environment to improve adolescent self-esteem: a randomised controlled trial. International Journal of Environment and Health 2014, 7, 144 .

AMA Style

Carly Wood, G. Sandercock, Jo Barton. Interactions between physical activity and the environment to improve adolescent self-esteem: a randomised controlled trial. International Journal of Environment and Health. 2014; 7 (2):144.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Carly Wood; G. Sandercock; Jo Barton. 2014. "Interactions between physical activity and the environment to improve adolescent self-esteem: a randomised controlled trial." International Journal of Environment and Health 7, no. 2: 144.

Randomized controlled trial
Published: 01 August 2013 in International Journal of Environmental Health Research
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This study assessed whether exercising whilst viewing natural or built scenes affected self-esteem (SE) and mood in adolescents. Twenty-five adolescents participated in three exercise tests on consecutive days. A graded exercise test established the work rate equivalent to 50% heart rate reserve for use in subsequent constant load tests (CLTs). Participants undertook two 15-min CLTs in random order viewing scenes of either natural or built environments. Participants completed Rosenberg’s SE scale and the adolescent profile of mood states questionnaire pre- and post-exercise. There was a significant main effect for SE (F(1) = 6.10; P < 0.05) and mood (F(6) = 5.29; P < 0.001) due to exercise, but no effect of viewing different environmental scenes (P > 0.05). Short bouts of moderate physical activity can have a positive impact on SE and mood in adolescents. Future research should incorporate field studies to examine the psychological effects of contact with real environments.

ACS Style

Carly Wood; Caroline Angus; Jules Pretty; Gavin Sandercock; Jo Barton. A randomised control trial of physical activity in a perceived environment on self-esteem and mood in UK adolescents. International Journal of Environmental Health Research 2013, 23, 311 -320.

AMA Style

Carly Wood, Caroline Angus, Jules Pretty, Gavin Sandercock, Jo Barton. A randomised control trial of physical activity in a perceived environment on self-esteem and mood in UK adolescents. International Journal of Environmental Health Research. 2013; 23 (4):311-320.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Carly Wood; Caroline Angus; Jules Pretty; Gavin Sandercock; Jo Barton. 2013. "A randomised control trial of physical activity in a perceived environment on self-esteem and mood in UK adolescents." International Journal of Environmental Health Research 23, no. 4: 311-320.

Randomized controlled trial
Published: 24 July 2013 in PLoS ONE
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Exercising in natural, green environments creates greater improvements in adult's self-esteem than exercise undertaken in urban or indoor settings. No comparable data are available for children. The aim of this study was to determine whether so called ‘green exercise’ affected changes in self-esteem; enjoyment and perceived exertion in children differently to urban exercise. We assessed cardiorespiratory fitness (20 m shuttle-run) and self-reported physical activity (PAQ-A) in 11 and 12 year olds (n = 75). Each pupil completed two 1.5 mile timed runs, one in an urban and another in a rural environment. Trials were completed one week apart during scheduled physical education lessons allocated using a repeated measures design. Self-esteem was measured before and after each trial, ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) and enjoyment were assessed after completing each trial. We found a significant main effect (F (1,74), = 12.2, p<0.001), for the increase in self-esteem following exercise but there was no condition by exercise interaction (F (1,74), = 0.13, p = 0.72). There were no significant differences in perceived exertion or enjoyment between conditions. There was a negative correlation (r = −0.26, p = 0.04) between habitual physical activity and RPE during the control condition, which was not evident in the green exercise condition (r = −0.07, p = 0.55). Contrary to previous studies in adults, green exercise did not produce significantly greater increases in self-esteem than the urban exercise condition. Green exercise was enjoyed more equally by children with differing levels of habitual physical activity and has the potential to engage less active children in exercise.

ACS Style

Katharine Reed; Carly Wood; Jo Barton; Jules N. Pretty; Daniel Cohen; Gavin R. H. Sandercock. A Repeated Measures Experiment of Green Exercise to Improve Self-Esteem in UK School Children. PLoS ONE 2013, 8, e69176 .

AMA Style

Katharine Reed, Carly Wood, Jo Barton, Jules N. Pretty, Daniel Cohen, Gavin R. H. Sandercock. A Repeated Measures Experiment of Green Exercise to Improve Self-Esteem in UK School Children. PLoS ONE. 2013; 8 (7):e69176.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Katharine Reed; Carly Wood; Jo Barton; Jules N. Pretty; Daniel Cohen; Gavin R. H. Sandercock. 2013. "A Repeated Measures Experiment of Green Exercise to Improve Self-Esteem in UK School Children." PLoS ONE 8, no. 7: e69176.

Randomized controlled trial
Published: 16 May 2013 in Environmental Science & Technology
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A randomized crossover study explored whether viewing different scenes prior to a stressor altered autonomic function during the recovery from the stressor. The two scenes were (a) nature (composed of trees, grass, fields) or (b) built (composed of man-made, urban scenes lacking natural characteristics) environments. Autonomic function was assessed using noninvasive techniques of heart rate variability; in particular, time domain analyses evaluated parasympathetic activity, using root-mean-square of successive differences (RMSSD). During stress, secondary cardiovascular markers (heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure) showed significant increases from baseline which did not differ between the two viewing conditions. Parasympathetic activity, however, was significantly higher in recovery following the stressor in the viewing scenes of nature condition compared to viewing scenes depicting built environments (RMSSD; 50.0 ± 31.3 vs 34.8 ± 14.8 ms). Thus, viewing nature scenes prior to a stressor alters autonomic activity in the recovery period. The secondary aim was to examine autonomic function during viewing of the two scenes. Standard deviation of R-R intervals (SDRR), as change from baseline, during the first 5 min of viewing nature scenes was greater than during built scenes. Overall, this suggests that nature can elicit improvements in the recovery process following a stressor.

ACS Style

Daniel K. Brown; Jo Barton; Valerie F. Gladwell. Viewing Nature Scenes Positively Affects Recovery of Autonomic Function Following Acute-Mental Stress. Environmental Science & Technology 2013, 47, 5562 -5569.

AMA Style

Daniel K. Brown, Jo Barton, Valerie F. Gladwell. Viewing Nature Scenes Positively Affects Recovery of Autonomic Function Following Acute-Mental Stress. Environmental Science & Technology. 2013; 47 (11):5562-5569.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Daniel K. Brown; Jo Barton; Valerie F. Gladwell. 2013. "Viewing Nature Scenes Positively Affects Recovery of Autonomic Function Following Acute-Mental Stress." Environmental Science & Technology 47, no. 11: 5562-5569.

Journal article
Published: 03 January 2013 in Extreme Physiology & Medicine
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The studies of human and environment interactions usually consider the extremes of environment on individuals or how humans affect the environment. It is well known that physical activity improves both physiological and psychological well-being, but further evidence is required to ascertain how different environments influence and shape health. This review considers the declining levels of physical activity, particularly in the Western world, and how the environment may help motivate and facilitate physical activity. It also addresses the additional physiological and mental health benefits that appear to occur when exercise is performed in an outdoor environment. However, people’s connectedness to nature appears to be changing and this has important implications as to how humans are now interacting with nature. Barriers exist, and it is important that these are considered when discussing how to make exercise in the outdoors accessible and beneficial for all. The synergistic combination of exercise and exposure to nature and thus the ‘great outdoors’ could be used as a powerful tool to help fight the growing incidence of both physical inactivity and non-communicable disease.

ACS Style

Valerie F Gladwell; Daniel K Brown; Carly Wood; Gavin R Sandercock; Jo L Barton. The great outdoors: how a green exercise environment can benefit all. Extreme Physiology & Medicine 2013, 2, 3 -3.

AMA Style

Valerie F Gladwell, Daniel K Brown, Carly Wood, Gavin R Sandercock, Jo L Barton. The great outdoors: how a green exercise environment can benefit all. Extreme Physiology & Medicine. 2013; 2 (1):3-3.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Valerie F Gladwell; Daniel K Brown; Carly Wood; Gavin R Sandercock; Jo L Barton. 2013. "The great outdoors: how a green exercise environment can benefit all." Extreme Physiology & Medicine 2, no. 1: 3-3.

Dataset
Published: 05 December 2012 in http://isrctn.org/>
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Joanna Barton. A feasibility study to analyse the psychological benefits of green exercise (GE) in comparison to cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) with patients with mild to moderate depression. http://isrctn.org/> 2012, 1 .

AMA Style

Joanna Barton. A feasibility study to analyse the psychological benefits of green exercise (GE) in comparison to cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) with patients with mild to moderate depression. http://isrctn.org/>. 2012; ():1.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Joanna Barton. 2012. "A feasibility study to analyse the psychological benefits of green exercise (GE) in comparison to cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) with patients with mild to moderate depression." http://isrctn.org/> , no. : 1.

Journal article
Published: 10 August 2012 in Environmental Science & Technology
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Positive effects of green exercise on physical and psychological wellbeing have been found, yet little is known about the underlying cognitive mechanisms responsible for such effects. The purpose of this visual sensation study was to establish the extent to which the color green, as a primitive visual feature of many natural environments, contributes to the green exercise effect. Fourteen participants performed three moderate-intensity 5-min cycling tasks (50% peak power output) while watching video footage of a rural cycling course that simulated cycling through a real natural environment. The three randomly counter-balanced video conditions were unedited (V GREEN ), achromatic (V GRAY ) or red filter (V RED ). Lower total mood disturbance and ratings of perceived exertion were found during the V GREEN compared to V GRAY and V RED . Feelings of anger were higher after V RED compared to the other conditions. Feelings of tension, depression, fatigue, vigor, and confusion did not differ among conditions. This is the first study to show that the color green, as a primitive feature of visual sensation, has a contributory effect toward positive green exercise outcomes. © 2012 American Chemical Society

ACS Style

Adam Akers; Jo Barton; Rachel Cossey; Patrick Gainsford; Murray Griffin; Dominic Micklewright. Visual Color Perception in Green Exercise: Positive Effects on Mood and Perceived Exertion. Environmental Science & Technology 2012, 46, 8661 -8666.

AMA Style

Adam Akers, Jo Barton, Rachel Cossey, Patrick Gainsford, Murray Griffin, Dominic Micklewright. Visual Color Perception in Green Exercise: Positive Effects on Mood and Perceived Exertion. Environmental Science & Technology. 2012; 46 (16):8661-8666.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Adam Akers; Jo Barton; Rachel Cossey; Patrick Gainsford; Murray Griffin; Dominic Micklewright. 2012. "Visual Color Perception in Green Exercise: Positive Effects on Mood and Perceived Exertion." Environmental Science & Technology 46, no. 16: 8661-8666.

Randomized controlled trial
Published: 25 July 2012 in BMC Public Health
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Following recruitment of a private sector company, an 8 week lunchtime walking intervention was implemented to examine the effect of the intervention on modifiable cardiovascular disease risk factors, and further to see if walking environment had any further effect on the cardiovascular disease risk factors.

ACS Style

Daniel K Brown; Jo L Barton; Jules Pretty; Valerie F Gladwell. Walks4work: Rationale and study design to investigate walking at lunchtime in the workplace setting. BMC Public Health 2012, 12, 550 -550.

AMA Style

Daniel K Brown, Jo L Barton, Jules Pretty, Valerie F Gladwell. Walks4work: Rationale and study design to investigate walking at lunchtime in the workplace setting. BMC Public Health. 2012; 12 (1):550-550.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Daniel K Brown; Jo L Barton; Jules Pretty; Valerie F Gladwell. 2012. "Walks4work: Rationale and study design to investigate walking at lunchtime in the workplace setting." BMC Public Health 12, no. 1: 550-550.