Abstract
Health-enhancing physical activities (PA) performed outdoors could markedly contribute to the adoption of a healthy lifestyle in adolescence. The differences between PA preferences and actual opportunities for these PA are an issue that has received frequent attention. To date, the extent to which these differences are reflected in adolescents meeting PA recommendations and their well-being has not been explored. In total, 10,086 respondents took part in an on-line research project regarding PA preferences. Of them, 2446 also completed the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (Long Form) and the World Health Organization (WHO) W-5 questionnaire to assess well-being. Finally, 1278 of these respondents were involved in objective PA monitoring using pedometers. The study aimed to explore the prevalence and trends regarding outdoor PA. Moreover, we assessed whether the agreement between preferred PA and PA actually undertaken was associated with higher odds for meeting PA recommendations and achieving a higher level of well-being. Of a selection of outdoor activities, Czech and Polish boys preferred cycling, swimming, and downhill skiing, while girls preferred swimming activities, skating, and cycling. The agreement between preferred and PA actually undertaken was associated with higher odds for meeting the weekly PA recommendations and higher levels of well-being both in boys and girls. Evaluation of outdoor PA preferences and taking these preferred activities into account when forming conditions for them was important in the efficient promotion of the physical and mental health of adolescents.
Highlights
The idea of a ‘return to nature’, has been cyclically recurring in various schools of philosophy throughout recorded history, for example the Ancient Greek cynicism defined by Antisthenes [1], Rousseaus’ approach to education in the age of enlightenment [2], or Husserl’s phenomenological interpretation of nature in science [3]
We assessed whether the agreement between preferred physical activities (PA) and PA undertaken was associated with higher odds for meeting PA recommendations and achieving a higher level of well-being
Repeated exercises in the natural environment promote well-being more than exercise in the built environment, regardless of whether they are performed indoors or outdoors [7,8]
Summary
The idea of a ‘return to nature’, has been cyclically recurring in various schools of philosophy throughout recorded history, for example the Ancient Greek cynicism defined by Antisthenes [1], Rousseaus’ approach to education in the age of enlightenment [2], or Husserl’s phenomenological interpretation of nature in science [3]. The philosophical trend of a return to nature has a significant ecological, demographic, health-related, and economic impact. Active and health-enhancing leisure time by outdoor physical activities (PA) can significantly increase the benefits of PA and facilitate adoption of a healthy lifestyle in children and adolescents, and can be combined with the school environment. Different forms of natural environment (parks, meadows, woods) are associated with a feeling of happiness [4], a decrease in mental stress [5,6], and can significantly affect emotional well-being [7]. Repeated exercises in the natural environment promote well-being more than exercise in the built environment, regardless of whether they are performed indoors or outdoors [7,8].
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