Investigation of the effect of walking in different environments on emotion, anxiety level and heart rate change

Objective: The aim of this study is to examine the effect of walking performed in different environments on mood, anxiety level and heart rate variability. Method: This research was carried out on 33 male and female participants aged 19-25. The participants took part in two different environments that included four different experiential processes in a crossover pattern. These processes were determined as Hiking Trail (NA), Sitting Time in Nature (DO), Walking on Treadmill Indoors (KY), and Sitting Time Indoors (KO).The emotional states of the participants were evaluated with the Difficulty in Emotion Regulation Scale (POMS), the Positive and Negative Affect Scale (PANAS), and the Trait Anxiety Inventory. Heart Rate Variability (HRV) measurements were also made. Measurements were taken before and after each application. Results: In the nature group, it was found that both sitting and walking were significant (p<.05), the environment x time interaction was not significant in terms of being in nature (p>.05), there was no time (pre and post-test) difference in anxiety measurements, there was no pre – post-test difference between the four groups, it was determined that walking in an indoor environment and sitting in nature decreased mood difficulty, sitting in an indoor environment and walking in nature increased mood difficulty, sitting in nature decreased trait anxiety, sitting in an indoor environment and sitting in nature increased positive mood. Conclusion: The analyses revealed that sitting and walking in different environments influenced mood, anxiety, heart rate and variability. While walking and sitting indoors showed negative effects, being in nature showed positive effects. However, no significant differences were found in mood measurements and heart rate variability. While walking and sitting indoors showed negative effects, being in nature showed positive effects. However, no significant differences were found in mood measures and heart rate variability.