Effects of Forest Bathing on Cardiovascular and Metabolic Parameters in Middle-Aged Males

Overview

Journal Evid Based Complement Alternat Med

Specialty Rehabilitation Medicine

Date 2016 Aug 6

PMID 27493670

Citations 29

Authors

Qing Li

Maiko Kobayashi

Shigeyoshi Kumeda

Toshiya Ochiai

Takashi Miura

Takahide Kagawa

Michiko Imai

Zhiyu Wang

Toshiaki Otsuka

Tomoyuki Kawada

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

In the present study, we investigated the effects of a forest bathing on cardiovascular and metabolic parameters. Nineteen middle-aged male subjects were selected after they provided informed consent. These subjects took day trips to a forest park in Agematsu, Nagano Prefecture, and to an urban area of Nagano Prefecture as control in August 2015. On both trips, they walked 2.6 km for 80 min each in the morning and afternoon on Saturdays. Blood and urine were sampled before and after each trip. Cardiovascular and metabolic parameters were measured. Blood pressure and pulse rate were measured during the trips. The Japanese version of the profile of mood states (POMS) test was conducted before, during, and after the trips. Ambient temperature and humidity were monitored during the trips. The forest bathing program significantly reduced pulse rate and significantly increased the score for vigor and decreased the scores for depression, fatigue, anxiety, and confusion. Urinary adrenaline after forest bathing showed a tendency toward decrease. Urinary dopamine after forest bathing was significantly lower than that after urban area walking, suggesting the relaxing effect of the forest bathing. Serum adiponectin after the forest bathing was significantly greater than that after urban area walking.

Citing Articles

Effects of forest bathing (Shinrin-yoku) in stressed people.

Queirolo L, Fazia T, Roccon A, Pistollato E, Gatti L, Bernardinelli L Front Psychol. 2024; 15:1458418.

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The effect of forest-based health and wellness on the stress-relieve of middle-aged people.

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Physiological and psychological recovery in two pure forests: interaction between perception methods and perception durations.

Sun X, Li Q, Zhang X, Sun M, Yin J, He J Front Public Health. 2024; 12:1296714.

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Predictors of sustained physical activity: behaviour, bodily health, and the living environment.

Diaconasu D, Stoleriu I, Campanu I, Andrei A, Boncu S, Honceriu C Front Physiol. 2024; 14:1213075.

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Spending time in the forest or the field: qualitative semi-structured interviews in a randomized controlled cross-over trial with highly sensitive persons.

Oomen-Welke K, Hilbich T, Schlachter E, Muller A, Anton A, Huber R Front Psychol. 2023; 14:1207627.

PMID: 38022960 PMC: 10661274. DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1207627.

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