Nature and Health: Physical Activity in Nature

Experiences in nature are now recognised as being fundamental to human health and well-being. Physical activity in nature has been posited as an important well-being facilitator because the presence of nature augments the benefits of physical activity while also enhancing motivation and adherence. This volume brings together a mix of cutting edge ideas in research, theory and practice from a wide set of disciplines with the purpose of exploring interdisciplinary or trans-disciplinary approaches to understanding the relationship between physical activity in nature and health and well-being.

Nature and Health: Physical Activity in Nature is structured to facilitate ease of use for the researcher, policy maker, practitioner or theorist. Section 1 covers research on physical activity in nature for a number of important health and well-being issues. Each chapter in this section considers how policy and practice might be shaped by current research findings and knowledge. Section 2 considers contemporary theoretical and conceptual understandings that help explain how physical activity in nature enhances health and well-being and also how best to design interventions and research. Section 3 provides examples of current approaches.

This book is an ideal resource for both researchers and advanced students interested in designing future-proofed research, for policy makers interested in improving community well-being and for practitioners interested in best practice applications.

Eric Brymer is a Reader in the School of Sport and Head of Person-Environment Research Lab at Leeds-Beckett university, UK. He is a behavioral scientist who specializes in researching the reciprocal nature of health and wellbeing from nature-based experiences. Eric collaborates with multidisciplined teams across the world and holds research positions in health, exercise and outdoor studies in the UK, Europe and Australia.

Mike Rogerson is a Lecturer in the School of Sport, Rehabilitation and Exercise Sciences at the University of Essex, UK. He is a sport and exercise psychologist with expertise in the role of environments for exercise behaviors, experiences and outcomes.

Jo Barton is a Reader in the School of Sport, Rehabilitation and Exercise Sciences at the University of Essex, UK. She is a Sport and Exercise Scientist and leading expert in ’green exercise’, analyzing how exercise settings shape behaviours and health outcomes.