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Verification of Psychophysiological Effects of Satoyama Activities on Older Adult Volunteers and Young People in Post-COVID-19 Society: A Case Study of Matsudo City, Japan

Author

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  • Qiongying Xiang

    (Graduate School of Horticulture, Chiba University, Chiba 271-8510, Japan)

  • Zhengwei Yuan

    (Graduate School of Horticulture, Chiba University, Chiba 271-8510, Japan)

  • Katsunori Furuya

    (Graduate School of Horticulture, Chiba University, Chiba 271-8510, Japan)

  • Takahide Kagawa

    (Graduate School of Horticulture, Chiba University, Chiba 271-8510, Japan)

Abstract

Many scholars have focused on Satoyama, which is characterized by mountains or villages away from the urban spaces. Our objective is to verify its psychophysiological effects on people performing usual Satoyama activities in ignored, small urban green spaces to help people find ways to stay healthy in post-coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) society. In this study, 12 older adult volunteers from the “Forest around the Mountains” Nonprofit Organization and 12 young people from the university were invited as study subjects. They were asked to observe nature for 10 min and work for 30 min in the small green space “Forest around the Mountains”. The Profile of Mood States 2nd Edition (POMS) and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventor (STAI) were used as psychological scales to detect their psychological restoration and blood pressure before and after the Satoyama activity. Their heart rate during the activity was used as the physiological indicator. The study showed that, as Satoyama volunteers, the older adults group had significant restorative psychophysiological effects during this experiment compared to the younger group; their systolic and diastolic blood pressure dropped significantly after Satoyama activities, On the other hand, the young group have been in the normotensive range before or after Satoyama activities The psychological indicators such as Anger-hostility, Confusion-bewilderment, and Tension-anxiety were significantly lower in the younger group but were still significantly higher than the indicators of the older adults. In general, this study found that Satoyama activities benefited young and older participants, especially older adults with high blood pressure. Satoyama activities in small urban green spaces are thus necessary and worth promoting in the post-COVID-19 era.

Suggested Citation

  • Qiongying Xiang & Zhengwei Yuan & Katsunori Furuya & Takahide Kagawa, 2022. "Verification of Psychophysiological Effects of Satoyama Activities on Older Adult Volunteers and Young People in Post-COVID-19 Society: A Case Study of Matsudo City, Japan," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(17), pages 1-15, August.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:17:p:10760-:d:901039
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Linjia Wu & Qidi Dong & Shixian Luo & Yanling Li & Yuzhou Liu & Jiani Li & Zhixian Zhu & Mingliang He & Yuhang Luo & Qibing Chen, 2022. "An Empirical Study of the Restoration Potential of Urban Deciduous Forest Space to Youth," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(6), pages 1-20, March.
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    7. Hiroko Ochiai & Harumi Ikei & Chorong Song & Maiko Kobayashi & Ako Takamatsu & Takashi Miura & Takahide Kagawa & Qing Li & Shigeyoshi Kumeda & Michiko Imai & Yoshifumi Miyazaki, 2015. "Physiological and Psychological Effects of Forest Therapy on Middle-Aged Males with High-Normal Blood Pressure," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(3), pages 1-11, February.
    8. Prita Indah Pratiwi & Qiongying Xiang & Katsunori Furuya, 2019. "Physiological and Psychological Effects of Viewing Urban Parks in Different Seasons in Adults," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(21), pages 1-14, November.
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