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Group Outdoor Health Walks Using Activity Trackers: Measurement and Implementation Insight from a Mixed Methods Feasibility Study

Author

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  • Katherine N. Irvine

    (Social, Economic and Geographical Sciences, James Hutton Institute, Craigiebuckler, Aberdeen AB14 8QH, UK)

  • Melissa R. Marselle

    (Helmholtz Center for Environmental Research-UFZ, Department of Ecosystem Services, Permoserstr 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
    German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Deutscher Platz 5e 04103 Leipzig, Germany)

  • Alan Melrose

    (Alan Melrose Consultancy Ltd., 1 Balnastraid Cottages, Dinnet, Aboyne AB34 5NE, UK)

  • Sara L. Warber

    (Department of Family Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, 1018 Fuller St, Ann Arbor, MI 48104-1213, USA
    European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, Truro TR1 3HD, UK)

Abstract

Outdoor walking groups are nature-based interventions (NBIs) that promote health and wellbeing by modifying individual behaviour. The challenges of such NBIs include the motivation of inactive adults to participate and measurement issues. This feasibility study investigates a 12-week group outdoor health walk (GOHW) incorporating activity trackers and use of a holistic health and wellbeing measure, the Self-sasessment of Change (SAC) scale. A mixed methods design explored participant recruitment and retention, programme delivery, and measures of physical activity and health and wellbeing. Walker data included: pre-post questionnaires, daily step counts, and interviews. Programme delivery information included: weekly checklists, staff reflections, stakeholder meeting minutes, and a report. Thirteen adults (age 63–81, 76% female) joined and completed the activity tracker GOHW. Activity trackers motivated walkers to join and be more active but complicated programme delivery. Activity trackers allowed the quantification of physical activity and the SAC health and wellbeing measure was easy to use. By week 12, all participants met national physical activity guidelines. Clinically relevant changes on the SAC scale included: sleeping well, experiencing vibrant senses, and feeling energised, focused, joyful, calm and whole. Results illustrate the feasibility of using activity trackers to motivate engagement in and provide a measure of physical activity from GOHWs. The SAC scale offers a promising measure for nature–health research. A conceptual model is provided for the development of future large-scale studies of NBIs, such as group outdoor health walks.

Suggested Citation

  • Katherine N. Irvine & Melissa R. Marselle & Alan Melrose & Sara L. Warber, 2020. "Group Outdoor Health Walks Using Activity Trackers: Measurement and Implementation Insight from a Mixed Methods Feasibility Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(7), pages 1-21, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:7:p:2515-:d:342224
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Melissa R. Marselle & Katherine N. Irvine & Sara L. Warber, 2013. "Walking for Well-Being: Are Group Walks in Certain Types of Natural Environments Better for Well-Being than Group Walks in Urban Environments?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 10(11), pages 1-26, October.
    2. Katherine N. Irvine & Sara L. Warber & Patrick Devine-Wright & Kevin J. Gaston, 2013. "Understanding Urban Green Space as a Health Resource: A Qualitative Comparison of Visit Motivation and Derived Effects among Park Users in Sheffield, UK," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 10(1), pages 1-26, January.
    3. Pucher, J. & Buehler, R. & Bassett, D.R. & Dannenberg, A.L., 2010. "Walking and cycling to health: A comparative analysis of city, state, and international data," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 100(10), pages 1986-1992.
    4. Frank Andrews & Aubrey McKennell, 1980. "Measures of self-reported well-being: their affective, cognitive, and other components," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 8(2), pages 127-155, June.
    5. Morabia, A. & Costanza, M.C., 2004. "Does Walking 15 Minutes per Day Keep the Obesity Epidemic Away? Simulation of the Efficacy of a Populationwide Campaign," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 94(3), pages 437-440.
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    Cited by:

    1. Katherine N. Irvine & Daniel Fisher & Margaret Currie & Kathryn Colley & Sara L. Warber, 2024. "A Nature-Based Intervention for Promoting Physical Activity in Older Adults: A Qualitative Study Using the COM-B Model," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(7), pages 1-24, June.
    2. Katherine N. Irvine & Daniel Fisher & Melissa R. Marselle & Margaret Currie & Kathryn Colley & Sara L. Warber, 2022. "Social Isolation in Older Adults: A Qualitative Study on the Social Dimensions of Group Outdoor Health Walks," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(9), pages 1-26, April.
    3. Huicheng Feng & Xiaoxiang Tang & Cheng Zou, 2024. "Optimizing the Layout of Service Facilities for Older People Based on POI Data and Machine Learning: Guangzhou City as an Example," Land, MDPI, vol. 13(5), pages 1-15, May.
    4. Shaohua Tan & Fengxiao Cao & Jinsu Yang, 2020. "The Study on Spatial Elements of Health-Supportive Environment in Residential Streets Promoting Residents’ Walking Trips," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(14), pages 1-33, July.
    5. Margaret Currie & Kathryn Colley & Katherine N. Irvine, 2021. "Outdoor Recreation for Older Adults in Scotland: Qualitatively Exploring the Multiplicity of Constraints to Participation," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(14), pages 1-15, July.
    6. Dahlia Stott & Chetan Sharma & Jonathan M Deutsch & Brandy-Joe Milliron, 2024. "The Connections among Interacting with Nature, Nature Relatedness and Dietary Choices: A Pilot Mixed Methods Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(7), pages 1-13, July.
    7. Zhenwei Wang & Xiaochun Wang & Zijin Dong & Lisan Li & Wangjun Li & Shicheng Li, 2023. "More Urban Elderly Care Facilities Should Be Placed in Densely Populated Areas for an Aging Wuhan of China," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(1), pages 1-13, January.

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