Green Gym

Does Participating in Physical Activity in Outdoor Natural Environments Have a Greater Effect on Physical and Mental Wellbeing than Physical Activity Indoors?

The UK Government has recognised the need to tackle obesity, a major public health problem.  They have pledged to reverse the rise of overweight and obese people in this country, with an initial focus on children.  An integral part of tackling obesity is enhancing fitness through an increase in activity.  Improving fitness levels in young adults may help decrease the number of health problems in later life.

The BTCV Green Gym Scheme encourages people to help the environment and improve their health by taking part in outdoor projects.  The benefits of a variety of activity have been researched, with a number of studies focusing on the effects of indoor exercise compared with outdoor exercise.  

PenCLAHRC’s Evidence Synthesis Team have compared a sample of these studies and produced a systematic review of the findings. Our aim was to produce an objective review, which will help highlight the value of outdoor green spaces in motivating physical activity and in conferring mental and physical wellbeing.