Affective outcomes during and after high-intensity exercise in outdoor green and indoor gym settings. Issue 2 (4th March 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Turner, Toby Louis; Stevinson, Clare
• Is Part Of: International journal of environmental health research. Volume 27:Issue 2(2017)
• Page Start: 106
• Page End: 116
• Publication Date: 2017-03-04
• Subjects: Psychological well-being -- physical activity -- natural environments -- affect; Environmental health -- Periodicals; 363.7
• DOI: 10.1080/09603123.2017.1282605
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0960-3123

Abstract

Abstract: Outdoor exercise settings promote greater psychological well-being than synthetic equivalents, although the influence of the exercise context has not been investigated at high exercise intensities. This study compared the psychological effects of high-intensity exercise in outdoor green and indoor gym settings in 22 adult runners using a randomized repeated measures design. Affect and perceived exertion were assessed before, during, and after a 6000-m run with the second half completed at maximum effort. Perceived exertion and activation increased in a progressive manner from baseline to 6000 m, and decreased during the 10-min recovery post-run. Non-significant reductions in affective valence were observed between 3000 and 6000 m, followed by a significant increase post-run. Outcomes did not differ at any time point between the settings. This study suggested that regular runners experience positive affective responses during and after high-intensity exercise in both a natural outdoor environment and an indoor gym.