TY - JOUR
T1 - The effects of green exercise on the mental and physical health of people with chronic conditions
T2 - a systematic review
AU - Tsokani, Aristi
AU - Stefanouli, Vasiliki
AU - Adriaenssens, Nele
AU - Kotsakis, Athanasios
AU - Kapreli, Eleni
AU - Strimpakos, Nikolaos
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2024 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.
PY - 2025
Y1 - 2025
N2 - Green exercise, defined as physical activity in natural settings, shows promise for enhancing exercise participation and improving health. This systematic review aimed to assess the effectiveness of green exercise in people with chronic conditions. Seven electronic databases were searched and of the 7801 screened articles, 14 trials met the inclusion criteria. Green exercise was a safe and well-tolerated intervention, with low drop-out levels. It was found to positively affect participants’ quality of life in three studies and mental health in four studies. Compared to non-exercise groups, green exercise significantly improved physical and mental health in patients with breast cancer, COPD, cardiovascular disease risk, chronic low back pain, obesity, and diabetes. However, it had no impact on the physical health of stroke patients or the cognitive performance of those with ADHD. Green exercise appears to be a safe intervention that can improve various chronic health issues.
AB - Green exercise, defined as physical activity in natural settings, shows promise for enhancing exercise participation and improving health. This systematic review aimed to assess the effectiveness of green exercise in people with chronic conditions. Seven electronic databases were searched and of the 7801 screened articles, 14 trials met the inclusion criteria. Green exercise was a safe and well-tolerated intervention, with low drop-out levels. It was found to positively affect participants’ quality of life in three studies and mental health in four studies. Compared to non-exercise groups, green exercise significantly improved physical and mental health in patients with breast cancer, COPD, cardiovascular disease risk, chronic low back pain, obesity, and diabetes. However, it had no impact on the physical health of stroke patients or the cognitive performance of those with ADHD. Green exercise appears to be a safe intervention that can improve various chronic health issues.
KW - chronic diseases
KW - exercise engagement
KW - exercise in nature
KW - green exercise
KW - non-communicable diseases
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85201707329&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1080/09603123.2024.2391991
DO - 10.1080/09603123.2024.2391991
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85201707329
SN - 0960-3123
VL - 35
SP - 1374
EP - 1388
JO - International Journal of Environmental Health Research
JF - International Journal of Environmental Health Research
IS - 5
ER -