The effect of the physical environment and levels of activity on affective states

The physical environment and physical activity can independently improve positive affect. The current studies investigated the effects of two opposing environments (urban versus natural) and levels of activity (walking and sitting) on affective states in either a laboratory (study 1) or an outdoor s...

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Main Authors: Kinnafick, F., Thøgersen-Ntoumani, Cecilie
Format: Journal Article
Published: Academic Press 2014
Subjects:
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/38123
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author Kinnafick, F.
Thøgersen-Ntoumani, Cecilie
author_facet Kinnafick, F.
Thøgersen-Ntoumani, Cecilie
author_sort Kinnafick, F.
building Curtin Institutional Repository
collection Online Access
description The physical environment and physical activity can independently improve positive affect. The current studies investigated the effects of two opposing environments (urban versus natural) and levels of activity (walking and sitting) on affective states in either a laboratory (study 1) or an outdoor setting (study 2). While doing each activity (walking and sitting in each environment), participants watched film clips of urban or natural outdoor settings (study 1), or were naturally immersed in an urban or a natural environment (study 2). Measures of affect were administered pre, mid and post each condition. Findings highlighted the benefits of being immersed in a natural outdoor environment with physical activity being key for positive effects on energy. Short bouts of sedentary behaviour increased state negative affect, tiredness, and decreased energy levels. Attempts by policy-makers, urban planners and public health promoters should encourage greater use of natural open space to promote acute psychological well-being.
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publishDate 2014
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spelling curtin-20.500.11937-381232017-09-13T14:13:45Z The effect of the physical environment and levels of activity on affective states Kinnafick, F. Thøgersen-Ntoumani, Cecilie Sedentary behaviour Physical activity Experimental Well-being Nature Urban environment The physical environment and physical activity can independently improve positive affect. The current studies investigated the effects of two opposing environments (urban versus natural) and levels of activity (walking and sitting) on affective states in either a laboratory (study 1) or an outdoor setting (study 2). While doing each activity (walking and sitting in each environment), participants watched film clips of urban or natural outdoor settings (study 1), or were naturally immersed in an urban or a natural environment (study 2). Measures of affect were administered pre, mid and post each condition. Findings highlighted the benefits of being immersed in a natural outdoor environment with physical activity being key for positive effects on energy. Short bouts of sedentary behaviour increased state negative affect, tiredness, and decreased energy levels. Attempts by policy-makers, urban planners and public health promoters should encourage greater use of natural open space to promote acute psychological well-being. 2014 Journal Article http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/38123 10.1016/j.jenvp.2014.02.007 Academic Press restricted
spellingShingle Sedentary behaviour
Physical activity
Experimental
Well-being
Nature
Urban environment
Kinnafick, F.
Thøgersen-Ntoumani, Cecilie
The effect of the physical environment and levels of activity on affective states
title The effect of the physical environment and levels of activity on affective states
title_full The effect of the physical environment and levels of activity on affective states
title_fullStr The effect of the physical environment and levels of activity on affective states
title_full_unstemmed The effect of the physical environment and levels of activity on affective states
title_short The effect of the physical environment and levels of activity on affective states
title_sort effect of the physical environment and levels of activity on affective states
topic Sedentary behaviour
Physical activity
Experimental
Well-being
Nature
Urban environment
url http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/38123