The health benefits of active outdoor pursuits over sedentary indoor pastimes are well known and increasingly highlighted in the battle against childhood obesity and its long-term consequences.
People of all ages extol the virtues of getting some fresh air, particularly for a generation of children in which, according to a Mothercare survey last year, more than a quarter play outside for less than half an hour a week.
The health benefits of active outdoor pursuits over sedentary indoor pastimes are well known and increasingly highlighted in the battle against childhood obesity and its long-term consequences.
People of all ages extol the virtues of getting some fresh air, particularly for a generation of children in which, according to a Mothercare survey last year, more than a quarter play outside for less than half an hour a week.
But the positive impact of time spent outdoors, in a natural environment, goes far beyond the most obvious results.
A recent study revealed that children who are exposed to scenes of nature while exercising are more likely to experience health-enhancing effects after activity.
Sports science academics at the University of Coventry asked kids aged 9-10 years to complete a series of 15-minute moderate-intensity cycling activities – one whilst viewing a video of a forest track synced to the exercise bike and another with no visual stimulus.
The researchers found that after the 'green exercise' the children's post-activity blood pressure was significantly lower than it was without the simulated forest environment, indicating that the nature scenes promoted positive health effects.
Children running outdoors image via Shutterstock.
Read more at ENN Affiliate, Click Green.
