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A Lunchtime Walk in Nature Enhances Restoration of Autonomic Control during Night-Time Sleep: Results from a Preliminary Study

Author

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  • Valerie F. Gladwell

    (Centre for Sports and Exercise Science, School of Biological Sciences, University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester, Essex CO4 3SQ, UK)

  • Pekka Kuoppa

    (Department of Applied Physics, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 1627, Kuopio 70211, Finland)

  • Mika P. Tarvainen

    (Department of Applied Physics, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 1627, Kuopio 70211, Finland
    Department of Clinical Physiology and Nuclear Medicine, Kuopio University Hospital, P.O. Box 100, Kuopio 70029, Finland)

  • Mike Rogerson

    (Centre for Sports and Exercise Science, School of Biological Sciences, University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester, Essex CO4 3SQ, UK)

Abstract

Walking within nature (Green Exercise) has been shown to immediately enhance mental well-being but less is known about the impact on physiology and longer lasting effects. Heart rate variability (HRV) gives an indication of autonomic control of the heart, in particular vagal activity, with reduced HRV identified as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Night-time HRV allows vagal activity to be assessed whilst minimizing confounding influences of physical and mental activity. The aim of this study was to investigate whether a lunchtime walk in nature increases night-time HRV. Participants ( n = 13) attended on two occasions to walk a 1.8 km route through a built or a natural environment. Pace was similar between the two walks. HRV was measured during sleep using a RR interval sensor (eMotion sensor) and was assessed at 1–2 h after participants noted that they had fallen asleep. Markers for vagal activity were significantly greater after the walk in nature compared to the built walk. Lunchtime walks in nature-based environments may provide a greater restorative effect as shown by vagal activity than equivalent built walks. Nature walks may improve essential recovery during night-time sleep, potentially enhancing physiological health.

Suggested Citation

  • Valerie F. Gladwell & Pekka Kuoppa & Mika P. Tarvainen & Mike Rogerson, 2016. "A Lunchtime Walk in Nature Enhances Restoration of Autonomic Control during Night-Time Sleep: Results from a Preliminary Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-9, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:13:y:2016:i:3:p:280-:d:64989
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Mike Rogerson & Jo Barton, 2015. "Effects of the Visual Exercise Environments on Cognitive Directed Attention, Energy Expenditure and Perceived Exertion," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(7), pages 1-16, June.
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    Cited by:

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    2. Abbas Smiley & William Ramos & Layne Elliott & Stephen Wolter, 2020. "Comparing the Trail Users with Trail Non-Users on Physical Activity, Sleep, Mood and Well-Being Index," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(17), pages 1-13, August.
    3. Mike Rogerson & Ian Colbeck & Rachel Bragg & Adekunle Dosumu & Murray Griffin, 2020. "Affective Outcomes of Group versus Lone Green Exercise Participation," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(2), pages 1-8, January.
    4. Sus Sola Corazon & Ulrik Sidenius & Dorthe Varning Poulsen & Marie Christoffersen Gramkow & Ulrika Karlsson Stigsdotter, 2019. "Psycho-Physiological Stress Recovery in Outdoor Nature-Based Interventions: A Systematic Review of the Past Eight Years of Research," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(10), pages 1-21, May.
    5. Susan L. Prescott & Alan C. Logan, 2016. "Transforming Life: A Broad View of the Developmental Origins of Health and Disease Concept from an Ecological Justice Perspective," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-44, November.
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    7. Carina Mnich & Susanne Weyland & Darko Jekauc & Jasper Schipperijn, 2019. "Psychosocial and Physiological Health Outcomes of Green Exercise in Children and Adolescents—A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(21), pages 1-19, November.
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    9. Jonah D’Angelo & Stephen D. Ritchie & Bruce Oddson & Dominique D. Gagnon & Tomasz Mrozewski & Jim Little & Sebastien Nault, 2023. "Using Heart Rate Variability Methods for Health-Related Outcomes in Outdoor Contexts: A Scoping Review of Empirical Studies," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(2), pages 1-19, January.
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