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Long-Term Effects of Mountain Hiking vs. Forest Therapy on Physical and Mental Health of Couples: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Author

Listed:
  • Daniela Huber

    (Institute of Ecomedicine, Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Johanna Freidl

    (Institute of Ecomedicine, Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Christina Pichler

    (Institute of Ecomedicine, Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria)

  • Michael Bischof

    (Institute of Ecomedicine, Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria)

  • Martin Kiem

    (Certified Nature and Forest Therapy Guide, 39010 Tisens, Italy)

  • Renate Weisböck-Erdheim

    (Institute of Ecomedicine, Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria)

  • Gabriella Squarra

    (Certified Forest-Health-Trainer, 83435 Bad Reichenhall, Germany)

  • Vincenzo De Nigris

    (Institute of Sports Medicine, South Tyrol Health Authority, 39100 Bozen, Italy)

  • Stefan Resnyak

    (Institute of Sports Medicine, South Tyrol Health Authority, 39100 Bozen, Italy)

  • Marcel Neberich

    (Institute of Ecomedicine, Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria)

  • Susanna Bordin

    (Institute of Ecomedicine, Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria)

  • René Zechner

    (Institute of Ecomedicine, Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria)

  • Arnulf Hartl

    (Institute of Ecomedicine, Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria)

Abstract

Background: Lifelong physical activity is related to longer health span, which is reflected at an individual level, and is of substantial socioeconomic relevance. Sedentary lifestyles, on the other hand, pose an increasingly major public health problem. In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic had a negative impact on activity levels and well-being. Previous research indicates that contact with nature might improve exercise levels as well as well-being. Methods: This randomized, controlled clinical trial (ANKER-study) investigated the effects of two types of nature-based therapies (forest therapy and mountain hiking) in couples (FTG: n = 23; HG: n = 22;) with a sedentary or inactive lifestyle on health-related quality of life, relationship quality and other psychological and physiological parameters. Results: The results of this study displayed that healthy and highly functioning women and men with sedentary lifestyles mentally benefit from contact with nature (quality of life, satisfaction with life, mood, internal and external health-related control beliefs). The gender-specific effect on women is most visible in the physiological outcomes (hemopoietic system, aerobic capacity, skeletal muscle mass and hydration) of mountain hiking. Men and women showed small improvements in blood pressure as a result of the interventions. Conclusions: The ANKER-study provides a method for valid comparison of forest therapy interventions for the first time. Regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, the nature-based intervention presented could offer a multimodal contribution to maintaining a more active lifestyle, further contact with nature that affects peoples physical as well as mental health, and an improvement in social interaction.

Suggested Citation

  • Daniela Huber & Johanna Freidl & Christina Pichler & Michael Bischof & Martin Kiem & Renate Weisböck-Erdheim & Gabriella Squarra & Vincenzo De Nigris & Stefan Resnyak & Marcel Neberich & Susanna Bordi, 2023. "Long-Term Effects of Mountain Hiking vs. Forest Therapy on Physical and Mental Health of Couples: A Randomized Controlled Trial," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(2), pages 1-20, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:2:p:1469-:d:1034776
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Kelvin I. Afrashtehfar & Carlos A. Jurado & Amaweya Al-Sammarraie & Musab H. Saeed, 2023. "Consequences of COVID-19 and Its Variants: Understanding the Physical, Oral, and Psychological Impact," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(4), pages 1-5, February.
    2. Arnulf Josef Hartl & Johanna Freidl & Daniela Huber, 2023. "Effects of Alpine Natural Health Resources on Human Health and Wellbeing," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(12), pages 1-3, June.

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