Analysis of the Healing Effect of Walking Activities According to the Difference in FOREST ENVIRONMENT

Abstract

The aim of this study is to prevent lifestyle-related diseases, to maintain and improve health in daily life by analyzing the healing effects after walking around residential areas near the residential area within the living zone that urban residents usually used by urbanites as a place for health activities. The results of this study were summarized as follows. First, the result of analyzing the physiological changes before and after the walk showed meaningful that the stress index and blood pressure were reduced in 42 persons who were walking in the walkway with water and forest, the pulse diversity, RMSSD and LF were increased. Second, according to an analysis of psychological changes after the walking activities, 42 persons(who were walking in the walkway with water and forest) and 44 persons(who were walking in the forest trail) were showed that the negative emotions such as tension, depression, anger, fatigue, and confusion among the six sub-areas of POMS were reduced and the vigor was increased. Third, the indices which therapeutic effect between walkway and walkway was significantly indicated by the combination effect between the walkway and a point of view, were the systolic blood pressure, pulse rate, and pulse diversity. Fourth, healing effect of the physiological reaction by promenade and gender was appeared that, for walkway with water and forest, men was effective in blood pressure and women was effective LF and RMSSD, for forest trail, men was effective in blood pressure and women was effective blood pressure and stress. Fifth, as a result of POMS, the men walking in walkway with water and forest showed healing effects in all areas except fatigue and confusion, and women in all areas. In the forest trail, men were effective in areas except confusion and vigor, while women were effective in areas except depression and vigor. Sixth, the correlation between age and physiological response was appeared to have low positive in stress index and systolic blood pressure, while SDNN, LF and HF were showed to have a low negative correlation. Based on this, if we make a walk a life in environment where water and forest coexist, or in environment where forests are located, it will help prevent lifestyle-related diseases, maintain and improve health, and reduce medical expenses. In addition, it is expected to help in the green space of urban and creation of promenade, and it is considered that will be significance as a practical study that links forest healing with real life.