The Effect of Affective Exercise Experiences and Environmental Factors on Adherence to Outdoor Exercise Programs

Datos Bibliográficos

ID9745224
AutoresSophie Marini (0000-0002-7025-4271, University of Chieti-Pescara), Sofia Marini (0000-0003-0264-1592), Raffaele Zinno (0000-0001-6797-6049, University of Bologna, autor de correspondencia), Gioconda Belli (0000-0001-7312-8548, University of Bologna, autor de correspondencia), Erika Pinelli (0000-0001-7451-3739, University of Bologna), Laura Bragonzoni (0000-0002-4773-2300, University of Bologna), Stefania Toselli (0000-0001-5478-2499, University of Bologna), Panteleimon Ekkekakis (0000-0003-4260-4702, Michigan State University), Giovanni Alberto Monguzzi (University of Ferrara), Martino Belvederi Murri (0000-0002-7262-3528, University of Ferrara), Federica Folesani (0000-0002-3479-6700, University of Ferrara), Pasqualino Maietta Latessa (0000-0002-6525-0532, University of Bologna)
Año2025
Volumen15
Número3
Páginas31
Fecha de publicación2025-02-28
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaEuropean Journal of Investigation in Health, Psychology and Education (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 2174-8144 • E-ISSN: 2254-9625
EditorialMDPI AG (PUBLISHER • IT)
DOI10.3390/ejihpe15030031
PMID40136770
OpenAlexW4408026620
IdiomaEN
Referencias citadas39

Background: This study aimed to investigate the association between Affective Exercise Experiences (AEEs), environmental factors, and adherence to a structured public health exercise initiative. Methods: A prospective experimental design was employed in a primary care setting within green parks in a community in Northern Italy. Community-dwelling individuals who participated in a 15-week outdoor exercise program were recruited. Participants engaged in 43 low-to moderate-intensity outdoor exercise sessions, held three times a week from May to July 2022, with each session lasting 60 min. A total of 68 participants (mean age: 64.6 ± 8.6 years) completed the questionnaires. Results: A causal analysis revealed a small but significant positive effect of AEEs on adherence, with higher AEE scores associated with an increased likelihood of attending exercise sessions. The predictive model identified a combination of AEE scores, environmental temperature, distance from the exercise site, and weekday as significant predictors of adherence. Conclusions: This study highlights the importance of AEEs, as well as environmental and demographic factors, in predicting adherence to structured exercise programs. The findings suggest that fostering positive affective experiences related to exercise could enhance adherence, particularly among older adults

Physical therapy · Medicine · Physical Activity and Health · Psychology · Recreation, Leisure, Wilderness Management · Urban Green Space and Health · Gerontology