Influence of Forest Walking on Blood Pressure, Profile of Mood States and Stress Markers from the Viewpoint of Aging (original) (raw)

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.12974/2309-6128.2013.01.01.2

Keywords:

Cardiovascular responses, salivary cortisol, Type A, young and elderly.

Abstract

This study investigated the influence of forest walking on blood pressure (BP), profile of mood states (POMS) and salivary cortisol in both young and aged people. Twenty-three young people (Men=11, Women=12) with a mean age of 22 yrs and twenty-five aged people (M=10, W=15) with a mean age of 59 yrs participated in this study voluntarily. Each participant walked about three hours in the forest according to their comfortable walking pace. After forest walking, systolic BP (SBP) and mean BP (MAP) had significantly decreased in aged people (-10±3 mmHg in SBP, and -5±2 mmHg in MBP, P<0.05, respectively) while remained unchanged in young people. The scores for the “tension-anxiety” and “confusion” subscales of POMS were significantly improved in both young and aged people; moreover, the score for the “anger–hostility” subscale in aged people was also improved significantly. Salivary cortisol significantly decreased in young people (-0.22±0.03?g/dl, P<0.05) and had a tendency to decrease in aged people (-0.05±0.03?g/dl, P=0.099). BP variables at baseline were associated with the changes in BP variables (r=0.575 in systolic BP, r=0.581 in diastolic BP, r=0.582 in MAP, and r=0.582 in pulse pressure), respectively. Furthermore, the baseline salivary cortisol was also related to the forest walking-induced changes in that value (r=0.882). Thus, people with higher BP and higher stress markers may show greater effects from forest walking. Collectively, these results suggested that forest walking may have the possibility to reduce resting BP, mental stress and stress markers in both young and aged people; moreover, significant deceases in BP of aged people indicate that forest walking can be an important and novel exercise therapy if undertaken at a comfortable pace.

References

Okamoto Y. Health care for the elderly in Japan: medicine and welfare in an aging society facing a crisis in long term care. BMJ 1992; 305: 403-405. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmj.305.6850.403

Oksuzyan A, Crimmins E, Saito Y, O'Rand A, Vaupel JW, Christensen K. Cross-national comparison of sex differences in health and mortality in Denmark, Japan and the US. Eur J Epidemiol 2010; 25: 471-80. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10654-010-9460-6

Japan Statistical Association, 2011. Statistical Handbook of Japan, Chapter 2, Available from: http://www.stat.go.jp/ english/data/handbook/c02cont.htm

Maller C, Townsend M, Pryor A, Brown P, St Leger L. Healthy nature healthy people: 'contact with nature' as an upstream health promotion intervention for populations. Health Promot Int 2006; 21(1): 45-54. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/heapro/dai032

St Leger L. Health and nature-new challenges for health promotion. Health Promot Int 2003; 18(3): 173-75. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/heapro/dag012

Brod C. Technostress: The human cost of the computer revolution. MA: Addison-Wesley, ISBN 0-201-11211-6, 1984.

Hartig T, Evans GW, Jammer LD, Davis DS, Garling T. Tracking restoration in natural and urban field settings. J Environ Psychol 2003; 23: 109-123. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0272-4944(02)00109-3

Mass J, Verheiji RA, Gronenwegen PP, deViers S, Spreeuwemberg P. Green space, urbanity, and health; how strong is the relation? J Epidemiol Community Health 2006; 60: 587-92. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/jech.2005.043125

Takano T, Nakamura K, Watanabe M. Urban residential environments and senior citizens ‘longevity in megacity areas: the importance of walkable green spaces. J Epidemiol Community Health 2002; 56: 913-18. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/jech.56.12.913

Morita E, Fukuda S, Nagano J, Hamajima N, Yamamoto H, Iwai Y, et al. Psychological effects of forest environments on healthy adults: Shinrin-yoku (forest-air bathing, walking) as a possible method of stress reduction. Public Health 2007; 121(1): 54-63. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.puhe.2006.05.024

Park BJ, Tsunetsugu Y, Kasetani T, Hirano H, Kagawa T, Sato M, et al. Physiological effects of Shinrin-yoku (taking in the atmosphere of the forest)--using salivary cortisol and cerebral activity as indicators. J Physiol Anthropol 2007; 26(2): 123-28. http://dx.doi.org/10.2114/jpa2.26.123

Park BJ, Tsunetsugu Y, Kasetani T, Kagawa T, Miyazaki Y. The physiological effects of Shinrin-yoku (taking in the forest atmosphere or forest bathing): evidence from field experiments in 24 forests across Japan. Environ Health Prev Med 2010; 15(1): 18-26. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s12199-009-0086-9

Tsunetsugu Y, Park BJ, Ishii H, Hirano H, Kagawa T, Miyazaki Y. Physiological effects of Shinrin-yoku (taking in the atmosphere of the forest) in an old-growth broadleaf forest in Yamagata Prefecture, Japan. J Physiol Anthropol 2007; 26(2): 135-42. http://dx.doi.org/10.2114/jpa2.26.135

Lee J, Park BJ, Tsunetsugu Y, Ohira T, Kagawa T, Miyazaki Y. Effect of forest bathing on physiological and psychological responses in young Japanese male subjects. Public Health 2011; 125(2): 93-100. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.puhe.2010.09.005

Lee J, Park BJ, Tsunetsugu Y, kagawa T, Miyazaki Y. The restorative effects of viewing real forest landscapes: Based on a comparison with urban landscapes. Scan J Forest Res 2009; 24: 227-34. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/02827580902903341

Yamaguchi M, Deguchi M, Miyazaki Y. The effects of exercise in forest and urban environments on sympathetic nervous activity of normal young adults. J Int Med Res 2006; 34(2): 152-59. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/147323000603400204

Li Q, Morimoto K, Nakadai A, Inagaki H, Katsumata M, Shimizu T, et al. Forest bathing enhances human natural killer activity and expression of anti-cancer proteins. Int J Immunopathol Pharmacol 2007; 20(2 Suppl 2): 3-8.

Li Q, Morimoto K, Kobayashi M, Inagaki H, Katsumata M, Hirata Y, et al. Visiting a forest, but not a city, increases human natural killer activity and expression of anti-cancer proteins. Int J Immunopathol Pharmacol 2008; 21(1): 117-27.

Li Q, Morimoto K, Kobayashi M, Inagaki H, Katsumata M, Hirata Y, et al. A forest bathing trip increases human natural killer activity and expression of anti-cancer proteins in female subjects. J Biol Regul Homeost Agents 2008; 22(1): 45-55.

Ohtsuka Y, Yabunaka N, Takayama S. Shinrin-yoku (forestair bathing and walking) effectively decreases blood glucose levels in diabetic patients. Int J Biometeorol 1998; 41: 125- 27. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s004840050064

Li Q, Otsuka T, Kobayashi M, Wakayama Y, Inagaki H, Latsumata M et al. Acute effects of walking in forest environments on cardiovascular and metabolic parameters. Eur J Appl Physiol 2011; 111(11): 2845-53. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00421-011-1918-z

McNair DM, Lorr M, Droppleman LF. Profile of Mood States. San Diego Educational and Industrial Testing Service 1992

Yokoyama A, Araki S, Kawakami N, Takeshita T. Production of the Japanese edition of profile of mood states (POMS): assessment of reliability and validity (in Japanese). Jpn J Public Health 1990; 37(11): 913-18.

Maeda S. A study on behavior pattern of patients with coronary heart diseases: Application of brief questionnaire- Jpn J Psychosomatic Med 1985; 25: 297-306.

Contrada RJ, Krantz DS. Stress, reactivity, and Type A behavior: Current status and future directions. Ann Behav Med 1988; 10: 64-70. http://dx.doi.org/10.1207/s15324796abm1002_4

Friedman M, Rosenman RH. Association of specific overt behavior pattern with blood and cardiovascular findings. JAMA 1959; 169: 1286-96. http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/jama.1959.03000290012005

Hallwill JR. Mechanisms and clinical implications of postexercise hypotension in humans. Exerc Sports Sci Rev 2001; 29(2): 65-70. http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/00003677-200104000-00005

MacDonald JR. Potential causes, mechanisms, and implications of post exercise hypotension. J Human Hypertension 2002; 16: 225-36. http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/sj.jhh.1001377

Rondon BMU, Alves MJ, Braga AM, Teixeira OT, Baretto AC, et al. Postexercise blood pressure reduction in elderly hypertensive patients. J Am Coll Cardiol 2002; 39(4): 676-82. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0735-1097(01)01789-2

Hagberg JM, Montain SJ, Martin WH 3rd. Blood pressure and hemodynamic responses after exercise in older hypertensives. J Appl Physiol 1987; 63(1): 270-76.

Chamoit-Clerc P, Renaud JF, Safar ME. Pulse pressure, aortic reactivity, and endothelium dysfunction in old hypertensive rats. Hypertension 2001; 37: 313-21. http://dx.doi.org/10.1161/01.HYP.37.2.313

Safar ME, London GM. Therapeutic studies and arterial stiffness in hypertension: recommendations of the European Society of Hypertension. The Clinical Committee of Arterial Structure and Function. Working Group on Vascular Structure and Function of the European Society of Hypertension. J Hypertens 2000; 18: 1527-35. http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/00004872-200018110-00001

Gasowski J, Fagard RH, Staessen JA, Grodzicki T, Pocock S, Boutitie F, et al; INDANA Project Collaborators. Pulsatile blood pressure component as predictor of mortality in hypertension: a meta-analysis of clinical trial control groups. J Hypertens 2002; 20: 145-51. http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/00004872-200201000-00021

Bennett T, Wilcox RG, Macdonald IA. Post-exercise reduction of blood pressure in hypertensive men is not due to acute impairment of baroreflex function. Clin Sci (Lond) 1984; 67(1): 97-103.

Hannum SM, Seals DR. Acute postexercise blood pressure response to hypertensive and normotensive men. Scan J Sports Sci 1981; 3: 11-15.

Wilcox RG, Bennett T, Brown AM, Macdonald IA. Is exercise good for high blood pressure? Br Med J (Clin Res Ed) 1982; 285(6344): 767-69. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmj.285.6344.767

Forjaz CL, Tinucci T, Ortega KC, Santaella DF, Mion D Jr, Negrão CE. Factors affecting post-exercise hypotension in normotensive and hypertensive humans. Blood Press Monit 2000; 5(5-6): 255-62. http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/00126097-200010000-00002

Seplaki CL, Goldman N, Weinstein M, Lin YH. How are biomarkers related to physical and mental well-being? J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 2004; 59: 201-201. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/gerona/59.3.B201

Kirschbaum C, Hellhammer DH. Salivary cortisol in psychobiological research: an overview. Neuropsychobiology 1989; 22(3): 150-69. http://dx.doi.org/10.1159/000118611

Kirschbaum C, Hellhammer DH. Salivary cortisol in psychoneuroendocrine research: recent developments and applications. Psychoneuroendocrinology 1994; 19: 313-33. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0306-4530(94)90013-2

Pruessner JC, Hellhammer DH, Kirschbaum C. Burnout, perceived stress, and cortisol responses to awakening. Psychosom Med 1999; 61: 197-204.

Hatzinger M, Brand S, Herzig N, Holsboer-Trachsler E. In healthy young and elderly adults, hypothalamic-pituitaryadrenocortical axis reactivity (HPA AR) varies with increasing pharmacological challenge and with age, but not with gender. J Psychiatr Res 2011; 45(10): 1373-80. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychires.2011.05.006

Kukolja J, Thiel CM, Wolf OT, Fink GR. Increased cortisol levels in cognitively challenging situations are beneficial in young but not older subjects. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2008; 201(2): 293-304. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00213-008-1275-8

Traustadóttir T, Bosch PR, Matt KS. The HPA axis response to stress in women: effects of aging and fitness. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2005; 30(4): 392-402. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.psyneuen.2004.11.002

Cramer SR, Nieman DC, Lee JW. The effects of moderate exercise training on psychological well-being and mood state in women. J Psychosom Res 1991; 35: 437-49. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0022-3999(91)90039-Q

Nieman DC, Custer WF, Butterworth DE, Utter AC, Henson DA. Psychological response to exercise training and/or energy restriction in obese women. J Psychosom Res 2000; 48: 23-29. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0022-3999(99)00066-5

Stanton JM, Arroll B. The effect of moderate exercise on mood in mildly hypertensive volunteers: a randomized controlled trial. J Psychosom Res 1996; 40: 637-42. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0022-3999(95)00643-5

Toda M, Den R, Hasegawa-Ohira M, Morimoto K. Influence of personal patterns of behavior on the effects of Tai Chi: a pilot study. Environ Health Prev Med 2011; 16(1): 61-63. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s12199-010-0159-9

Vermunt R, Peeters Y, Berggren K. How fair treatment affects saliva cortisol release in stressed low and high type-A behavior individuals. Scand J Psychol 2007; 48(6): 547-55. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9450.2007.00593.x

Oswald LM, Zandi P, Nestadt G, Potash JB, Kalaydjian AE, Wand GS. Relationship between cortisol responses to stress and personality. Neuropsychopharmacology 2006; 31(7): 1583-91. http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/sj.npp.1301012

Anderson SF, Lawler KA. The anger recall interview and cardiovascular reactivity in women: An examination of context and experience. J Psychosom Res 1995; 39: 335-43. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0022-3999(94)00140-Z

Oishi K, Kamimura M, Nigorikawa T, Nakamiya T, Williams RE, Horvath SM. Individual differences in physiological responses and Type A behavior pattern. Appl uman Sci 1999; 18(3): 101-108.

Ward MM, Chesney MA, Swan GE, Black GW, Parker SD, Rosenman RH. Cardiovascular responses in Type A and Type B men to a series of stressors. J Behav 1986; 9(1): 43- 49. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00844643

Williams RB Jr, Lane JD, Kuhn, CM, Melosh W, White AD, Schanberg SM. Type A behavior and elevated physiological and neuroendocrine responses to cognitive tasks. Science 1982; 218(4571): 483-85. http://dx.doi.org/10.1126/science.7123248

Lucini D, Di Fede G, Parati G & Pagani M. Impact of chronic psychosocial stress on autonomic cardiovascular regulation in otherwise healthy subjects. Hypertension 2005; 46: 1201- 206. http://dx.doi.org/10.1161/01.HYP.0000185147.32385.4b

Esler M, Eikelis N, Schlaich M, Lambert G, Alvarenga M, Dawood T, et al. Chronic mental stress is a cause of essential hypertension: presence of biological markers of stress. Clin Exp Pharmacol Physiol 2008; 35: 498-502. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1440-1681.2008.04904.x

Rozanski A, Blumenthal JA, Kaplan J. Impact of psychological factors on the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease and implications for therapy. Circulation 1999; 99: 2192-17. http://dx.doi.org/10.1161/01.CIR.99.16.2192

Rosengren A, Hawken S, Ounpuu S, Sliwa K, Zubaid M, Almahmeed WA, et al. Association of psychosocial risk factors with risk of acute myocardial infarction in 11 119 cases and 13 648 controls from 52 countries (the INTERHEART study): case-control study. Lancet 2004; 364: 953-62. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(04)17019-0