A Lunchtime Walk in Nature Enhances Restoration of Autonomic Control during Night-Time Sleep: Results from a Preliminary Study

Walking within nature (Green Exercise) has been shown to immediately enhance mental well-being but less is known about the impact on physiology and longer lasting effects. Heart rate variability (HRV) gives an indication of autonomic control of the heart, in particular vagal activity, with reduced H...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International journal of environmental research and public health 2016-03, Vol.13 (3), p.280-1
Main Authors: Gladwell, Valerie F, Kuoppa, Pekka, Tarvainen, Mika P, Rogerson, Mike
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Autonomic nervous system
Autonomic Nervous System - physiology
Cardiovascular disease
Cardiovascular diseases
Cardiovascular Diseases - physiopathology
Cardiovascular Diseases - prevention & control
Cardiovascular Diseases - psychology
Construction
Ecological and Environmental Phenomena
Exercise
Female
Females
Health Promotion
Health risks
Heart rate
Heart Rate - physiology
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Nature
Parks, Recreational
Physical fitness
Physiology
Risk Factors
Sleep
Sleep - physiology
Systematic review
United Kingdom - epidemiology
Vagus nerve
Walking
Well being
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Summary:Walking within nature (Green Exercise) has been shown to immediately enhance mental well-being but less is known about the impact on physiology and longer lasting effects. Heart rate variability (HRV) gives an indication of autonomic control of the heart, in particular vagal activity, with reduced HRV identified as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Night-time HRV allows vagal activity to be assessed whilst minimizing confounding influences of physical and mental activity. The aim of this study was to investigate whether a lunchtime walk in nature increases night-time HRV. Participants (n = 13) attended on two occasions to walk a 1.8 km route through a built or a natural environment. Pace was similar between the two walks. HRV was measured during sleep using a RR interval sensor (eMotion sensor) and was assessed at 1-2 h after participants noted that they had fallen asleep. Markers for vagal activity were significantly greater after the walk in nature compared to the built walk. Lunchtime walks in nature-based environments may provide a greater restorative effect as shown by vagal activity than equivalent built walks. Nature walks may improve essential recovery during night-time sleep, potentially enhancing physiological health.
ISSN:1660-4601
1661-7827
1660-4601
DOI:10.3390/ijerph13030280