ECSS Paris 2023: OP-SH12
Background A growing body of research demonstrates that participation in outdoor adventure and recreational activities, including camping programs, significantly enhances subjective well-being, social-emotional competence, and psychological restoration through mechanisms such as satisfaction of basic psychological needs, nature connectedness, and transformative experiences (Pomfret et al., 2023). These benefits are particularly pronounced in structured camp-based interventions, which have been shown to foster positive identity development, social competencies, and emotion regulation among youth and adults alike (Thurber et al., 2007). Methodology This study, grounded in the Transtheoretical Model (TTM), investigated the effects of outdoor adventure activities—encompassing day camps and overnight camping experiences—on participants’ stages of behavioral change related to campsite visitation, as well as associated differences in social-emotional competence and psychological restoration. Utilizing a pre-post design, data were collected from 5,951 participants across 18 campsites in Hong Kong. Results Stages of behavioral change were assessed using an adapted version of the Physical Activity Stages of Change Questionnaire immediately before and after participation. Paired-samples t-tests indicated a highly significant forward progression along the TTM continuum (t (3361) = 78.66, p < .001; mean difference = 2.089), with 91.23% of participants advancing to higher stages post-activity. Descriptive transitions revealed substantial shifts from pre-contemplation, contemplation, and preparation toward action and especially maintenance One-way ANOVAs revealed significant differences in social-emotional competence (SEC) and restorative outcomes (ROS) across the five TTM stages, both pre- and post-activity (all p < .001). Participants who demonstrated a post-activity intention to change (willchange = 1) consistently reported higher levels of SEC and ROS than those without such intention (all p < .001). Binary logistic regression further confirmed that higher post-activity social-emotional competence (B = 0.200, p = .034) significantly predicted greater likelihood of positive stage progression, whereas restorative experience showed only marginal association (B = 0.167, p = .080). Females and younger adults (particularly ages 19–30 and 31–40) had higher odds of stage advancement than males and the ≤18 reference group. Conclusion These findings indicate that structured outdoor adventure camping experiences effectively promote progression through stages of behavioral change while concurrently enhancing social-emotional competence and psychological restoration. The results highlight the value of campsite-based interventions in fostering sustained engagement in nature-based activities, particularly among younger and female participants, and offer implications for tailoring outdoor programs to maximize behavioral persistence and psychological benefits.
Read CV Ming Yu Claudia WongECSS Paris 2023: OP-SH12
INTRODUCTION: Maintaining a high level of aerobic fitness through regular physical activity (PA) is strongly associated with greater physical and mental health in older adults, and is a key strategy for preventing and managing chronic diseases (1). Current guidelines recommend that Australians aged 65+ complete at least 30 minutes of moderate intensity exercise on most days (2). However, aging is accompanied by impaired thermoregulation, which is increasingly concerning given rising global temperatures and the increased frequency of extreme heat events (1, 3). These facts may increase the risk of overheating during exercise, yet there is limited evidence on whether older adults modify their PA in hot conditions, or if these adjustments are effective at mitigating hyperthermia risk. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare the current PA habits of older adults in both thermoneutral and hot conditions, to identify potential risk points and strategies to alleviate the risk of hyperthermia. It was hypothesised that increasing age and temperature would decrease PA time, and that the type of PA engaged in would be of lower intensity. METHODS: 389 Australian adults aged 45+ were recruited to complete a survey regarding their PA habits in thermoneutral and hot environments. The survey incorporated the international physical activity questionnaire (IPAQ), demographics, questions regarding types of PA, and adverse effects from exercising in the heat (4). Data were analysed using a linear mixed model in SPSS. RESULTS: Days with walking, and time spent walking and engaging in moderate PA were significantly reduced in hot compared to thermoneutral conditions (4.28±0.15 versus 4.71±0.15 days, P=0.001; 71.33±6.14 versus 85.94±5.75 mins, P=0.016; 67.31±6.01 versus 85.67±5.58 mins, P=0.001). Older adults walked on significantly fewer days than younger adults (P=0.002). Engagement in swimming was significantly higher in hot compared to thermoneutral conditions (P=0.001). Age was a predictor of how many types of PA an individual participated in, with older individuals engaging in significantly less activities compared to younger individuals (P=0.004). CONCLUSION: Older adults engage in less PA when temperatures are high, and are less likely to achieve PA targets (2). Water based activities such as swimming were more common when temperatures were high and may be more suitable alternatives during hot conditions. As this study was conducted across Australia, there may be variation in individual experiences with heat dependent on location within Australia. For optimal health and wellbeing of older adults, guidelines should include appropriate adaptations to exercise when temperatures are high to reduce the risk of overheating whilst reaching PA goals. REFERENCES: [1] Stapleton 1985/ [2] Australian Government 2014/ [3] Lamarche 2017/ [4] Lee 2011
Read CV Kathleen OLearyECSS Paris 2023: OP-SH12
Background: Urban parks serve as important venues for promoting physical activity (PA). However, findings regarding the relationship between park proximity and PA have been inconsistent, and most studies have examined PA as a unitary construct without differentiating intensity levels. Additionally, discrepancies between perceived and objective proximity measures have been reported among general community residents, yet less is known about this correspondence among actual park users. This study aimed to examine the agreement between perceived and objective proximity measures among urban park users, and investigate the associations between both proximity measures and within-park PA across different intensity levels. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in October 2023 across four urban parks in Beijing, China. A total of 399 park users (52.1% female; mean age = 46.2 years) completed questionnaires assessing perceived proximity (a single-item question measuring perceived closeness to the park), demographic characteristics, and within-park physical activity using a modified International Physical Activity Questionnaire adapted for park settings. Objective proximity was measured as Euclidean distance from participants' residences to park centers using GIS and categorized into three groups: within 0.5 mile, 0.5–1 mile, and greater than 1 mile. Correspondence between proximity measures was assessed using Kendall rank correlation and ANOVA. Multilevel linear regression models were used to examine the associations between proximity measures and within-park walking, moderate-intensity PA, and vigorous-intensity PA, controlling for sociodemographic covariates, with bootstrap methods employed for non-normally distributed outcomes. Results: Moderate correspondence was found between perceived and objective proximity measures (Kendall's τ = 0.474, p < .001). Both proximity measures demonstrated significant negative associations with moderate-intensity PA and walking within parks. Notably, a threshold effect emerged at approximately 1 mile: participants living beyond 1 mile reported significantly reduced moderate-intensity PA (β = -0.39, 95% CI [-0.67, -0.11]) and walking (β = -0.58, 95% CI [-0.84, -0.24]), while no significant differences were found between the within-0.5-mile and 0.5–1-mile groups. Neither perceived nor objective proximity was significantly associated with vigorous-intensity PA within parks. Conclusion: These findings suggest that proximity may play a more important role in promoting moderate-intensity PA and walking within parks, while vigorous-intensity PA may be more influenced by other park characteristics beyond distance. Public health initiatives may benefit from increasing park awareness and engagement to bridge perception gaps and promote within-park PA among urban residents.
Read CV Zhanjia ZhangECSS Paris 2023: OP-SH12