If there is one simple physical activity that can energise, destress, and help live one longer, it has to be walking. Many people head to their neighbourhood park for clocking in their target steps, while others prefer their treadmill to exercise in the comfort of their homes, especially if the weather outside is not favourable. Any kind of physical activity offers benefits for your health, but when it comes to walking outdoors or indoors, one wonders if one is better than the other? Let’s find out what a study says.
Researchers in a study published in Ecopsychology compared the effects of walking in a natural outdoor environment and walking in an indoor simulated natural environment. They aimed to understand if exercising outside leads to more significant physical exertion and also the resulting emotional responses. The heart rate was measures to assess physical exertion in the study. It turned out that your surroundings do make a difference in your overall health. Let’s understand what this study said.
The study involved 74 university students. They were divided into two groups. The first group walked outdoors on a 0.6 km flat pavement while the other watched a video of the same outdoor path while walking indoors on a treadmill. Both the groups walked for 15 minutes according to their own pace.
It was found that participants who did outdoor walking experienced elevated heart rate, indicating more significant physiological exertion compared to the indoor walking group.
The perception of the walks was similar in both the groups as both rated their exertion as ‘very light’ to ‘light’.
However, differences were found as far as energy levels were concerned. The outdoor walking group found a much higher increase in their energy levels, whereas indoor walking group reported no change in their energy levels. Indoor walkers experienced a notable reduction in tension, while the outdoor walkers didn’t.
There was no particular differences between the groups when it comes to calmness, tiredness, positive affect, and negative affect.
Findings of this study were in tune with earlier research that demonstrated that acute bouts of physical activity in a natural environment enhance positive activated effect, which means subjective mental state and feelings of positive energy, engagement, alertness, and enthusiasm.
Outdoor walking seemed to have more benefits than indoor walking as the study showed that exercising in natural surroundings can increase heart rate more compared to indoor walking on a treadmill. Walking outdoors was also more energizing, than treadmill.
Being outdoors can also enhance happiness and joy compared to indoor walking. Looks like being in the nature’s lap is more fulfilling and soothing than replicating those natural settings at home. The fresh air, the rustling of leaves, the warmth of sunlight, and the soothing sounds of birds chirping all contribute to a deeper sense of relaxation and well-being.
