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

Dados 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 correspondente), Gioconda Belli (0000-0001-7312-8548, University of Bologna, autor correspondente), 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)
Ano2025
Volume15
Fascículo3
Páginas31
Data de publicação2025-02-28
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessSim
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoEuropean Journal of Investigation in Health, Psychology and Education (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 2174-8144 • E-ISSN: 2254-9625
EditoraMDPI AG (PUBLISHER • IT)
DOI10.3390/ejihpe15030031
PMID40136770
OpenAlexW4408026620
IdiomaEN
Referências 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