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Walking Outdoors during Seminars Improved Perceived Seminar Quality and Sense of Well-Being among Participants

Author

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  • Olle Bälter

    (Department of Media Technology and Interaction Design, KTH—Royal Institute of Technology, SE-100 44 Stockholm, Sweden)

  • Björn Hedin

    (Department of Media Technology and Interaction Design, KTH—Royal Institute of Technology, SE-100 44 Stockholm, Sweden)

  • Helena Tobiasson

    (Department of Media Technology and Interaction Design, KTH—Royal Institute of Technology, SE-100 44 Stockholm, Sweden)

  • Susanna Toivanen

    (School of Health, Care, and Social Welfare, Mälardalen University, SE-721 23 Västerås, Sweden)

Abstract

Low levels of physical activity and sedentary behaviour are a growing health problem globally. Physical inactivity is associated with increased risk of numerous ailments, cardiovascular disease and mortality. Our primary aim was to perform a feasibility study on how to incorporate physical activity among students and teachers in regular teaching activities. The second aim was to investigate how students and teachers perceived the differences between outdoor walking seminars and regular indoor seminars. By transforming an on-campus course into a blended course, we were able to conduct seminars outdoors in nearby nature while walking. These walking seminars were evaluated among 131 students and nine teachers leading the walking seminars. The responses to the student survey and teacher interviews indicate that discussions, sense of well-being and the general quality of the seminar improved, regardless of how physically active participants were the rest of the time. The study shows one way to increase physical activity with small means; in our case, a reorganization of how we prepared for the seminars which allowed for walking discussions.

Suggested Citation

  • Olle Bälter & Björn Hedin & Helena Tobiasson & Susanna Toivanen, 2018. "Walking Outdoors during Seminars Improved Perceived Seminar Quality and Sense of Well-Being among Participants," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(2), pages 1-11, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:15:y:2018:i:2:p:303-:d:131140
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Alexandra den Heijer, 2012. "Managing the University Campus: Exploring Models for the Future and Supporting Today's Decisions," CELE Exchange, Centre for Effective Learning Environments 2012/2, OECD Publishing.
    2. Margaret M. Hansen & Reo Jones & Kirsten Tocchini, 2017. "Shinrin-Yoku (Forest Bathing) and Nature Therapy: A State-of-the-Art Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(8), pages 1-48, July.
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    Cited by:

    1. Peng Yang & Shanshan Dai & Honggang Xu & Peng Ju, 2018. "Perceived Environmental, Individual and Social Factors of Long-Distance Collective Walking in Cities," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(11), pages 1-20, November.

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