• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.99 no.1
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• pp.47-51
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• 2010

The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of acute forest walking exercise on blood glucose of IGT (impaired glucose tolerance), NIDDM (non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus) in the elderly. There were four groups (n=60): forest walking exercise with IGT group (n=15; $66.21{\pm}4.16$ yrs), forest walking exercise with NIDDM group (n=15; $64.85{\pm}3.23$ yrs), field walking exercise with IGT group (n=15; $67.44{\pm}1.78$ yrs), field walking exercise with NIDDM group (n=15; $65.55{\pm}8.21$ yrs). They were tested on blood glucose levels at the beginning and at the end of each walking exercise. While the forest walking groups (interval + resistance exercise) worked for 40minutes with HRmax 50~60% level, the field walking groups (only aerobic exercise) worked for 40 minutes with HRmax 50~60% level. For data analysis, mean and standard deviation scores were calculated, and paired t-test and ANCOVA test were used. This study resulted in as follows. First, both walking groups showed the significant decrease of blood glucose in impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) after completing each exercise. Second, while the forest walking group showed the significant decrease of blood glucose in insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) after completing the forest exercise, the field walking group did not present any decrease of blood glucose in NIDDM after the field walking exercise. Therefore, the present findings suggest that the forest walking exercise as an interval and resistance exercise may be more effective to decrease blood glucose for IGT and NIDDM peoples in comparison to the field walking exercise as an aerobic exercise.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.102 no.4
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• pp.530-536
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• 2013

This study aimed to analyze and compare results from psychological relaxations by using profile of mood state (POMS) and Malondialdehyde (MDA) level as a scale of oxidative damage before and after walking in the forest and on the street. 29 participations (15 men and 14 women) walked in the forest and on the street for 30 minutes of each for two days. The participations filled a questionnaire for POMS and conducted an heart rate variability test, oxidative damage test (MDA as biological marker through a urine test) before and after walking. To compare the psychological states after walking in the two difference places, walking in the forest showed statistically more meaningful results in the section of tension, depression, anger, fatigue, confuse and total mood disturbance (p<0.01) than walking on the street. According to the MDA results, a concentration of MDA showed significant increase after walking on the street (p=0.014). On the contrary to this, a concentration of MDA tended to decrease after walking in the forest (p=0.076). The study showed that the psychological states were more stable and oxidative damages were more decreasing after walking in the forest than walking on the street. In the conclusion, MDA would be biological indicator for assessing the effect of alleviation on the oxidative stress after walking in the forest.

• Journal of People, Plants, and Environment
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.109-118
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• 2019

Physical activities in the forest environment stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system of humans and have positive effects on the autonomic nervous system as well as moods and emotions. However, there are almost no studies on the benefits of exercise in the forest environment for patients with myocardial infarction. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of 15-minute single session walking by myocardial infarction patients in the forest and urban environment on the physiological and psychological states. The heart rate variability was measured in 10 patients with myocardial infarction to assess physiological state after single session walking for 15 minutes in the forest environment and urban environment. In order to evaluate the psychological state, a profile of mood scale (POMS) and semantic differential (SD) questionnaire were used. The results of this study showed that 15-minute single session walking in the forest environment activated the parasympathetic nervous system of adult myocardial infarction patients more than 15 minutes of single session walking in the urban environment, and also made them feel more positive in terms of the POMS and SD. Therefore, this study suggests that even single session walking in the forest environment can positively influence the physiological and psychological states of adult heart disease patients and may also contribute to health care.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.605-611
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• 2012

The purpose of this study is to analyze psychological and physiological effects accordance with viewing and walking in the forest and urban area. In the result of measurement of physiological reactions in nervous system, viewing of the forest had a calming effect on the nervous system by reducing blood pressure and heart rate. The other hand, viewing and walking in the urban area compared to the forest area raised stress by increasing blood pressure and heart rate. In addition, viewing in forest area was effective in stress relief by noticeable reduction of the amylase concentration. In contrast, walking in the urban area was also confirmed an increase of stress by increasing the concentration of the amylase. A viewing and walking in forest area was effective in alleviating depressed on anxiety, anger, fatigue and confusion.

• Journal of East-West Nursing Research
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.86-95
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• 2017

Purpose: This study was conducted to investigate the effects of forest walking program on stress and recovery among schizophrenic patients in a closed ward. Methods: A non-equivalent control group pre-posttest design was used. The participants were composed of 36 patients with schizophrenia admitted in two psychiatric hospitals. The experimental group (n = 18) received the forest walking program twice a week with a total of 6 weeks. Results: The study results revealed that the forest walking program was effective on stress(${\chi}^2=34.11$, p<.001), subjective recovery(${\chi}^2=22.40$, p<.001) and clinical recovery(F=28.34, p<.001) of hospitalized patients with schizophrenia. Conclusion: The findings indicate that the forest walking program for schizophrenic patients in the closed ward can be an effective nursing intervention to reduce stress and improve recovery ability. We suggest that mental health nurses may adapt this program to help patients with schizophrenia in a closed ward.

• International journal of advanced smart convergence
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.386-394
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• 2023

This study investigated changes in salivary cortisol, lactic acid, and heart rate along the route during walking exercise in a forest environment for the purpose of reducing stress. Walking exercise in a forest environment was conducted on a Hill Type (Distance: 800m, Average slope 25°, Altitude 112m) and Step Type (Distance: 800m, Average slope 25°, Altitude 114m) routes for 10 female college students in their 20s. The subjects were asked to walk at a speed of 60 bpm. The resulting changes in salivary cortisol, lactate, and average heart rate during exercise were compared and analyzed using Repeated Measurement two-way ANOVA, and the maximum heart rate during exercise and average heart rate at rest were compared and analyzed using paired t-test, and the following results were obtained. First, there was no significant difference in salivary cortisol depending on the type and period of the forest, but it tended to gradually decrease. Second, there was a significant difference in lactic acid depending on the type and period, and it was higher in Step Type. Third, there was a significant difference in the average heart rate during exercise, and it was higher in Step Type. Fourth, there was a significant difference in maximum heart rate during exercise, and it was higher in Step Type. Fifth, there was no significant difference in average heart rate during rest. In summary, walking exercise in a forest environment can be effective for stress reduction for female college students in their 20s, but it appears that forest routes should be selected according to physical strength level, and walking exercise in a forest environment for long periods of time is not recommended. For this purpose, it is suggested that it is appropriate to select the Hill Type route.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.33-41
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• 2002

Investigated was the ground-walking Coleoptera at the moor and adjacent forest at 800 m and rice paddies at lower level of 50 m in altitude. There were 5 species belonging to 5 genera and 2 families, 4 species belonging to 4 genera and 3 families, and 17 species belonging to 11 genera and 2 families respectively. Diplous depressus (Gebler) was the dominant species at the moor and forest in distinctive numbers, while Pheropsophus javanus (Dejean) was the one at the paddies. Three investigated sites supported independently their ground-walking Coleoptera groups. The moor group seemed to fail in establishing the resident Coleoptera community. The fact may imply to be related a kind of the pioneer species in early dry succession that D. depressus was found in a considerable range between forest and moor. The Coleoptera groups of moor and forest was different from that of paddies in species structure.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.69-79
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• 2012

Objectives This study was performed to research the biological change after walking program in forest according to Sasang constitution. Methods Twenty four applicants are involved in this study. They were classified into three groups(Soyangin, Taeeumin, Soeumin) by QSCC II and divided into two groups(roadway, forest path) by place. And then they participated in walking program on March 31 in 2012. We performed before and after measurements, including active oxygen, biochemical test(BC), and stress hormones. Results Cortisol decreased in the entire group after walking program, which means the effect of relaxation. Glucose reduced in Soyangin group while increased in Taeeumin and Soeumin group after the program. There was no correlation in the test results between Sasang constitution and walking place. Conclusions Walking program has shown most efficacy in relaxation. However a single positive result within this study should be carefully interpreted. In the future, well-designed studies for Sasang constitutional walking program are needed.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.249-256
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• 2024

This study aimed to verify the healing effect through brain and pulse wave analyses before and after a forest walk to the university students. Bio-signals of brain and pulse waves were measured using Omnifit Mindcare. After analyzing four brain wave items such as concentration and four pulse wave items such as heart health, it is identified that the stress level of university students was higher than that of the general public, and the brain stress level was approached to the normal range for 19 people with clear improvement. For pulse waves, a statistically significant decrease in sympathetic nerve activity (%) was confirmed. Although the slight fluctuations within the normal range were caused by short term and individual differences, it showed that the forest walking is partially effect on the relieving stress.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.103 no.3
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• pp.503-509
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• 2014

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of Forest-walking exercise on gait pattern in the elderly. The subjects (n=37) were assigned to 2 groups: Forest-walking exercise (FWE) group (n=19, $66.34{\pm}4.31$ years old) and In-door treadmill-walking exercise (ITWE) group (n=18, $67.18{\pm}2.78$ years old). The subjects participated in FWE program or ITWE program (3 times/week, 80 min/day) for 12 weeks. The subjects were tested on functional fitness (strength, endurance, agility/balance, BMI) and gait pattern (cadence, velocity, and stability) at the beginning and the end of the 12-weeks program. For data analysis, mean and standard deviation scores were calculated, and independent t-test and repeated two-way ANOVA were used. The results of this study were as follow: First, FWE group was significantly more improved than ITWE group on functional fitness(lower-body muscular strength, lower-body flexibility, mobility, cardiorespiratory endurance) after 12-weeks exercise program. But both groups showed equally improvements on functional fitness (upper-body muscular strength, upper-body flexibility, BMI). Second, FWE group was significantly more improved than ITWE group on cadence, gait velocity, and gait stability after 12-weeks exercise program. Therefore, this study may suggest that Forest-walking exercise based on sensory-motor functional integration improves efficiently functional fitness and gait pattern in the elderly, and further becomes an effective exercise method that makes more dynamic life, and prevents from falling.