The significance of green exercise for the health and wellbeing of Italian immigrants in Norway: a mixed-methods study.

BACKGROUND: Green exercise (physical activity in presence of nature) has beneficial effects for health and wellbeing. Green exercise is a popular form of recreation in the Nordic countries, but participation is lower among the immigrant population from non-Western countries. However, no attention has been given to immigrants from the European Economic Area regarding this topic. Given the cultural and structural differences that surround green exercise in Italy and Norway, the case of the Italian immigrants in Norway is of interest to enrich our understanding of green exercise and its significance for health and wellbeing among immigrants in the Nordic countries. METHODS: This convergent mixed methods study investigated the pathways that link green exercise to health and wellbeing among Italian immigrants in Norway. Quantitative data were collected through an online survey (n = 321), which was oversampled to better reflect the sociodemographic profile of the reference population. Logistic regression was used to model the association of green exercise with self-rated health (SRH) or satisfaction with life (SWL) before and after controlling for selected confounders (age, gender, educational level, language proficiency, social support, and childhood experiences with green exercise). Qualitative data were collected through semi-structured in-depth interviews (n = 14) and analysed thematically. Merging of the two strands was done using a simultaneous bidirectional approach. RESULTS: The logistic regression found a significant bivariate association of green exercise with both SRH and SWL, though the association remained significant only for SWL after controlling for confounders. From the thematic analysis, three themes were identified: Green exercise opportunities contributing to overall satisfaction, Closeness to nature, and Embracing a new lifestyle. The integrated findings indicate that green exercise supported the immigrants' wellbeing, especially by providing stress relief, though socioeconomic status and acculturation may have a major impact on general health. Familiarity, appreciation of nature benefits, social support, and acculturation were identified as facilitating factors. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides novel insights into how green exercise supports health, wellbeing, and inclusion among immigrants to the Nordic countries and emphasizes the importance of developing culturally adapted strategies to enhance this health-promoting activity among immigrant populations.

Taking real steps in virtual nature: a randomized blinded trial.

Studies show that green exercise (i.e., physical activity in the presence of nature) can provide the synergistic psychophysiological benefits of both physical exercise and nature exposure. The present study aimed to investigate the extent to which virtual green exercise may extend these benefits to people that are unable to engage in active visits to natural environments, as well as to promote enhanced exercise behavior. After watching a video validated to elicit sadness, participants either performed a treadmill walk while exposed to one of two virtual conditions, which were created using different techniques (360° video or 3D model), or walked on a treadmill while facing a blank wall (control). Quantitative and qualitative data were collected in relation to three overarching themes: "Experience," "Physical engagement" and "Psychophysiological recovery." Compared to control, greater enjoyment was found in the 3D model, while lower walking speed was found in the 360° video. No significant differences among conditions were found with respect to heart rate, perceived exertion, or changes in blood pressure and affect. The analysis of qualitative data provided further understanding on the participants' perceptions and experiences. These findings indicate that 3D model-based virtual green exercise can provide some additional benefits compared to indoor exercise, while 360° video-based virtual green exercise may result in lower physical engagement.

Effects on sleep from group activity with a robotic seal for nursing home residents with dementia: a cluster randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: Sleep disturbances are common in people with dementia and increase with the severity of the disease. Sleep disturbances are complex and caused by several factors and are difficult to treat. There is a need for more robust and systematic studies dealing with sleep disturbances in older people with dementia. The aim of this study was to investigate effects from robot-assisted (Paro) group activity on sleep patterns in nursing home (NH) residents with dementia. DESIGN: A cluster randomized controlled trial. SETTING: Special care units in 10 NH in Norway. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 60 participants over 65 years with dementia were recruited. Thirty participants were recruited to the intervention group and 30 participants to the control group. INTERVENTION: Participants participated in group activity with Paro for 30 minutes twice a week over 12 weeks or in control group (treatment as usual). MEASUREMENTS: Sleep-wake patterns were assessed objectively by 7 days of wrist actigraphy before and after the intervention. Data were collected between March 2013 and September 2014. Data were analyzed using mixed models. RESULTS: Positive effects on change in sleep were found in the intervention group as compared with the control group. The intervention group increased percentage of sleep efficiency, increased the amount of total sleep time and reduced number of nocturnal awakenings. In addition, a significant effect was found in reduced awakenings after sleep onset. CONCLUSIONS: Social stimulation through engaging group activity could contribute to improved sleep in people with dementia in NH. Increased sleep efficiency and total sleep time, in addition to fewer night awakenings, affect central indicators of good sleep quality across the life span. Improved sleep quality will also affect quality of life and comorbidities in vulnerable groups. We believe group activity with Paro to be an accessible and feasible non-pharmacological treatment for those who enjoy Paro.

A cross-sectional and 6-year follow-up study of associations between leisure time physical activity and vertebral fracture in adults.

INTRODUCTION: Vertebral fractures are common osteoporotic fractures, affecting 2-46% of the population, causing morbidity and increased risk of mortality. Physical activity has beneficial effects for bone health, including increased bone mineral density and reduced hip fractures. However, evidence concerning prevention of vertebral fractures is scarce. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the association between leisure time physical activity and vertebral fracture risk. METHODS: The data were retrieved from the 2001 and 2007-2008 surveys of the Tromsø Study, a longitudinal population study in Norway. A total of 1904 participants (1030 women and 874 men, age 38-87 yr and 40-87 yr respectively) were included in the cross-sectional analysis (2007-2008). Prospective follow-up data (2001 to 2007) on physical activity were available for 1131 participants (636 women and 495 men, age 32-69 yr and 33-69 yr respectively). Physical activity was assessed by a questionnaire and vertebral fracture by lateral vertebral fracture assessment from dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry scans. Logistic regression was used to examine associations between physical activity and vertebral fracture. RESULTS: After controlling for confounders (age, height, weight, smoking, osteoporosis, osteoporosis medication, left hip total bone mineral density, and use of hormones in women only), no cross-sectional associations between physical activity levels and vertebral fracture were observed, OR 1.13 (95% CI: 0.59-2.13), for moderately active women and 1.44 (0.61-3.42) for highly active women, compared with sedentary women. In men, the respective ORs were 1.74 (95% CI: 0.91-3.35) and 1.64 (0.78-3.41). In the prospective analyses, OR for vertebral fracture in women with reduced physical activity was 0.81 (95% CI: 0.18-3.62), 1.24 (95% CI: 0.29-5.26) for increased physical activity and 1.54 (95% CI: 0.43-5.50) for active unchanged physical activity pattern, compared with sedentary unchanged physical activity. In men, the respective ORs were 2.05 (95% CI: 0.57-7.42), 2.23 (95% CI: 0.63-7.87), and 1.81 (95% CI: 0.54-6.02). Subanalyses of women and men ≥50 yr showed similar results. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that physical activity does not play a major role in preventing vertebral fractures in Norwegian adults. Future studies may benefit from data on incident vertebral fracture, and objectively measured physical activity.

Patterns and correlates of physical activity in adult Norwegians: a forecasted evolution up to 2025 based on machine learning approach.

BACKGROUND: As other westerns countries, a large portion of Norwegians do not meet the minimum recommendations for weekly physical activity (PA). One of the primary targets of the WHO's Global action plan for the prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases is to reduce insufficient PA by 10% within 2025. In order to effectively increase the PA levels in the population, an in-depth understanding of PA habits within different sub-groups is therefore vital. Using a machine learning (ML) approach, the aim of this study was to investigate patterns and correlates of PA in adult Norwegians, as well as to construct a predictive model of future PA. METHODS: Data were retrieved from the Norsk Monitor survey, which consists of about 3000 items on individual characteristics and sociocultural factors. The dataset contained information about 52,477 adult Norwegians, collected between 1985 and 2013. Past patterns and changes of three PA components (Frequency, Duration, and Intensity) were initially assessed using a series of ANOVAs. A Conditional Mutual Information Maximization Method and a recursive feature elimination with cross-validation were then used to examine the factors associated with such patterns and changes. Finally, the future evolution of the three PA components up to 2025 was predicted using an autoregressive model. RESULTS: In line with previous literature, the analysis of the PA patterns showed a progressive increment of the PA Frequency (which was greater in women), while the PA Duration and Intensity (which were in general higher among men) resulted fairly stable. The PA correlates identified by the ML analysis, which include men and women of different age groups, are presented and discussed. The autoregressive model predicted a general increment of the PA Frequency and PA Intensity by 2025, while the PA Duration is predicted to reduce. Different patterns emerged among the different sub-groups, overall suggesting smaller increments of PA in men and older individuals, as compared to women and younger individuals. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study can inform public health efforts that aim at increasing PA levels in specific target groups. The ML approach is proposed as a useful tool in public health monitoring and assurance.

Perceived oral health and its association with symptoms of psychological distress, oral status and socio-demographic characteristics among elderly in Norway.

BACKGROUND: There is poor knowledge about the extent to which psychological distress influences oral health in older people in Norway. The aim of this study was two-fold: i) to describe the oral health of Norwegian elderly and their levels of psychological distress; and ii) to examine the relationship of psychological distress with self-rated oral health, while controlling for oral status and socio-demographic characteristics, in Norwegian elderly. METHODS: Data were retrieved from a national cross-sectional survey conducted by Statistics Norway in 2012 and included information about self-rated oral health, psychological distress (measured using the Hopkins Symptom Checklist 25; HSCL-25), gender, age, civil status, smoking, self-reported number of teeth present and dental attendance for 949 non-institutionalised adults aged 65 years or older. Logistic regression was used to establish whether psychological distress predicts self-rated oral health, controlling for socio-demographic characteristics and oral status. RESULTS: Around 27% of the elderly reported having poor oral health, and 8 % had a HSCL-25 mean score ≥ 1.75, which indicates higher levels of psychological distress. Among the symptoms listed in the HSCL-25, the most frequently reported problems were lack of energy (1.7 ± 0.8) and difficulties falling and staying asleep (1.6 ± 0.7). The likelihood of reporting poor oral health was independently associated with having a mean HSCL-25 score ≥ 1.75 (OR = 1.89; 95% CI = 1.14-3.15), even when smoking (OR = 1.83; 95% CI = 1.17, 2.87) and having fewer than 20 teeth (OR = 3.49; 95% CI = 2.56, 4.76) were taken into account. CONCLUSION: Most of the Norwegian elderly in our sample perceived themselves to have good oral health and reported relatively low levels of psychological distress. Higher levels of psychological distress can influence the oral health of the elderly independently of other factors such as smoking and having reduced number of teeth. Dental care professionals should consider screening their elderly patients for psychological distress and individualise the information about dental care for this specific population.

Differences in quality of life in home-dwelling persons and nursing home residents with dementia - a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Dementia often eventually leads to dependency on others and finally to residential care. However, in Norway about half of the dementia population lives at home, due to individual and political wishes. There is scarce and inconclusive knowledge of how living in a nursing home differs from living at home for persons with dementia (PWDs) with regard to their quality of life (QoL). The first aim of the study was therefore to compare QoL, cognitive and physical functions, social contacts, sleep patterns, physical activity levels, exposure to light, and medication of PWDs in nursing homes and home-dwelling PWDs, and whether living in nursing homes was associated with a lower QoL than living at home for PWDs. A second aim was to examine if possible differences between residencies in QoL were consistent over time. METHODS: The cross-sectional study was based on baseline data from two RCT studies of PWDs. A total of 15 nursing homes with adapted units for PWDs and 23 adapted day care centres for home-dwelling PWDs recruited 78 and 115 participants respectively. Trained nurses scored sociodemographic data, level of dementia (on the Clinical Dementia Rating scale), amount of medication, and QoL (QUALID). Sleep patterns, physical activity levels, and light exposure were measured by actigraphy. A multiple regression analysis was used to test the association between residency and QoL. The association between residency and change in QoL over time was investigated by linear regression analysis of a subsample with follow-up data. RESULTS: Home-dwelling PWDs showed significantly higher QoL than PWDs in nursing homes. This difference was maintained even after stratifying on the severity of dementia. Home-dwelling PWDs with moderate dementia showed significantly less use of walking aids, more social contact, higher levels of activity and exposure to daylight, and less use of psychotropic medications. The regression model explained 28 % of the variance in QoL in persons with moderate dementia. However, only residency contributed significantly in the model. Residency also significantly predicted negative change over time in QoL. CONCLUSION: The study indicated that living at home as long as possible is not only desirable for economic or health political reasons but also is associated with higher QoL for persons with moderate dementia. More studies are needed to investigate how QoL could be increased for PWDs in nursing homes.

THE POTENTIAL OF USING EXERCISE IN NATURE AS AN INTERVENTION TO ENHANCE EXERCISE BEHAVIOR: RESULTS FROM A PILOT STUDY.

According to attention-restoration theory (ART), natural environments can provide restorative experiences. In this pilot study, a mixed-methods approach was used to examine the potential of using exercise in a natural environment to enhance exercise behaviors. The study included an assessment study and an intervention study (overall n = 19). The participants underwent a standardized exercise program including biking and circuit strength training, either indoors or outdoors in nature. Measurements included connectedness to nature, perceived exertion, perceived environmental restorativeness, enjoyment, affect, future exercise intention, and self-reported exercise behavior. The participants also wrote a brief text describing the way in which the environment influenced their feelings while exercising. Quantitative data were analyzed using the Spearman rank correlation and linear mixed-effects modeling. The qualitative information was analyzed thematically. The integrated results indicated that, in accordance with ART, exercising in nature was associated with a greater potential for restoration and affective responses, which in some participants led to enhanced intention to exercise and increased exercise behavior. However, some perceived that the indoor exercise provided a more effective workout. Further studies on larger samples are needed.

THE EFFECT OF CHRONOTYPE ON PSYCHOPHYSIOLOGICAL RESPONSES DURING AEROBIC SELF-PACED EXERCISES.

It was hypothesized that an individual's chronotype might influence the response to physical activity at a given time of day. This study aimed to analyze the psychophysiological responses during a walking task at different times of day in individuals with different chronotypes. 46 students (M age=24.8 yr., SD=7.2) filled in the Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire to determine chronotypes. Heart rate, walking time, and the rating of perceived exertion (RPE) were measured during two self-paced walking sessions: one in the morning (08:30) and one in the afternoon (15:30). A multivariate analysis of variance found a significant interaction between chronotype and time of day. The post hoc analysis showed a significant difference for RPE in the morning session, with evening types reporing a higher RPE compared with the morning types. The chronotype and the time of day when a physical task is undertaken can influence the RPE response, although it might not influence physiological or performance parameters. This has to be taken into account, because it can affect test reliability as well as possibly have a negative influence on the affective responses to a given task.

Exercise Intensity and Pacing Strategy of Cross-country Skiers during a 10 km Skating Simulated Race.

The aim of this study was to observe the cardiovascular demands by monitoring the heart rate (HR) and the pacing strategy by evaluating the speed during a simulated cross-country skiing race. Eleven skiers (16.45 ± 1.67 yrs; 21.32 ± 2.03 kg m(-2); 72.35 ± 4.69 mL min(-1) kg(-1)) competed in a 10 km event divided into four laps. The HR profile was classified into four intensity zones. The skiers spent 66.84 ± 23.64% and 31.82 ± 23.77% of the total time above 90% and at 80-90% of the HRmax respectively, whereas the lower zones were negligible. During the event, a progressive increase in intensity was observed: HRmean raised by 2.42% in the last versus the first lap (p < 0.001). The skiers decreased their speed in the second (p = 0.017) and the third laps (p < 0.001) compared to with the first lap. In the fourth lap the skiers increased the speed slightly but without statistical difference. The speed maintained by the skiers resulted in the adoption of a reverse J-shaped pacing strategy.

The impact of the natural environment on the promotion of active living: an integrative systematic review.

BACKGROUND: An understanding of how the living environment influences physical activity (PA) is of great importance for health promotion. Researchers have reported increased PA when there is a greater availability of nature within people's living environment. However, little has been said about underlying motivational processes. The aim of this study was to review the existing literature on the relationship between the natural environment (NE) and PA, integrating it into a conceptual model that depicts the motivational process underlying this relationship. METHODS: Through a systematic literature search in line with PRISMA guidelines, peer-reviewed articles were sought using PubMed (search updated to October 2013) and scrutiny of reference lists. In addition, we contacted experts within our network. We reviewed papers in which the research question(s) concerned: 1) Effects of PA in NE on individuals' feelings and beliefs; 2) Relationships between PA and availability of NEs; and 3) Motivational processes underlying visits to NEs in association with PA. Analysis and integration of the 90 selected studies were performed using the theory of planned behaviour (TPB). RESULTS: People's experiences in using the NE can enhance attitudes toward PA and perceived behavioural control via positive psychological states and stress-relieving effects, which lead to firmer intentions to engage in PA. Individual and environmental barriers, as expressions of social support and actual behavioural control, impact the process via subjective norm and perceived behavioural control. Instrumental beliefs such as a desire to enjoy nature and the expected health benefits also influence the process via attitudes. Different patterns have been identified for neighbourhood-based PA and outdoor recreations that take place in a NE. CONCLUSIONS: The availability of a NE and attractive views of nature within an individual's living environment are important contributors to PA, yet attention should focus on personal characteristics and environmental barriers. Policy and infrastructural interventions should aim to guarantee access and maintenance of the NE, as well as information and programming of social activities. Social campaigns via media and health institutions should highlight how nature can be a source of motivation for maintaining a PA routine, reducing stress and achieving aesthetic and health goals.

Hydration in female drivers in a 1044 km dog sled race in Finnmark.

OBJECTIVE: Drinking strategies during long dog sled competitions are important to avoid dehydration. Most of the studies involving dog sled racers (mushers) refer to male subjects. The purpose of this study was to study female mushers participating in a dog sled race of 1044 km, with a focus on hydration and drinking behavior. METHODS: Two female mushers (aged 50 and 23 years), of the 6 who signed up for participation in the dog sled 1044 km race, volunteered for the study. Before the race, maximum oxygen uptake and maximum heart rate (HR) were determined. Body compositions was measured before and shortly after the race. Heart rate was continuously measured by a HR monitor in the first 2 legs of the race, and urine samples were collected during the race. Urine osmolality and urine specific gravity were determined using freezing point depression and handheld refractometer. Values of urine osmolality greater than 900 mOsm · L(-1) and specific gravity greater than 1.030 were used as signs of dehydration. RESULTS: The older musher had a mean HR of 65%, and the younger musher had a mean HR of 57% of the predicted maximum HR. The mushers reached a peak HR of 91% of their predicted maximum; they worked at an average HR of 55% (average of all legs). The younger woman had urine osmolality values above the dehydration limits in most of the samples. Only small changes in the before and after race anthropometric measurements were found. CONCLUSIONS: Dog sled racing is a strenuous activity and drinking strategies are important to avoid dehydration. It seems that the drinking strategy of our subjects was adequate to supplement the hydration loss; yet, emotional arousals occurring during the race may affect drinking behavior. The attentive assistance of the mushers' handlers is therefore important.

Participatory Development of a Virtual Reality Exercise Program for People with Chronic Pain.

Background: By describing how a participatory process led to changes in the design of a study of a virtual reality (VR)-guided exercise and mindfulness intervention tailored to people with chronic musculoskeletal pain, this article makes the case for including end user at an early stage when planning research within this field. Methods: A multidisciplinary panel including end-user representatives, researcher, clinicians, and VR developers participated in a 1-day workshop to design a randomized study and a VR-guided intervention. Results: Through the participatory process, changes were made to the original study design with respect to experimental design, duration, content of VR interventions and mode of delivery. Conclusion: This case exemplifies the importance of including end-user participants in the early phases of planning VR interventions for people with chronic pain.

Effects of immersive virtual nature on nature connectedness: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: This study systematically summarizes the extant literature on the impacts of immersive virtual nature (IVN) on nature connectedness in the general population. Methods: Papers were considered eligible if peer-reviewed, in English language, comprising experimental or quasi-experimental trials, including at least one outcome relative to nature connectedness in the general population. Database search was conducted on Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, Medline, and GreenFILE (22-28 November 2021). Risk of bias was established by the Cochrane RoB 2 tool. Data synthesis was conducted through meta-analysis according with the Cochrane Consumers and Communication Group guidelines. Results: Six eligible papers (9 studies; n = 730) were selected, in which IVN was compared to (i) non-immersive virtual nature, (ii) immersive virtual built environments, (iii) non-immersive virtual built environments, and (iv) actual nature. The risk of bias was predominantly "low" or of "some concerns." Meta-analyses showed a statistically significant overall effect for the first (g = 0.26; 95% CI = 0.06-0.45; I2 = 35%) and fourth group (g = -1.98; 95% CI = -3.21 to -0.75; I2 = 96%), the former in favor of IVN and the latter in favor of actual nature. Subgroup analyses were conducted for the first and second groups of studies to explore possible sources of heterogeneity. The small number of studies available limits the validity of the outcomes of the meta-analyses. Conclusion: The findings indicate that IVN may be an effective tool for the promotion of nature connectedness, although the evidence in this field is still limited and largely mixed. Recommendations for future research are discussed.

Influence of chronotype on responses to a standardized, self-paced walking task in the morning vs afternoon: a pilot study.

The response to sub-maximal physical activity performed in the morning and late afternoon by individuals with different chronotypes was investigated. 22 participants filled out the Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire and underwent a self-paced walking task that consisted of walking from the top to the bottom of a hill and back three times (1,836 meters, with a slope of 14.16%). The task was repeated twice: late afternoon (16:30) and early morning (08:30). Walking speed (time for completion in seconds), heart rate, and perceived exertion were measured during each task, with overall results given as a general descriptive analysis. Preliminary findings suggest that chronotype is likely to influence the responses to exercise, mostly with evening-types seeming at a disadvantage when performing a physical task in the morning. Individuals can be classified by circadian typology or chronotype, which is the propensity to be a morning-type, evening-type, or neither-type. The circadian typology, commonly referred to as being a morning person or an evening person or somewhere in between, is involved not only in the expression of physiological rhythms, but also in habits and lifestyles, such as sleeping patterns (Park, Matsumoto, Seo, & Shinkoda, 1999) that emerge especially during adolescence (Park, Matsumoto, Seo, Kang, & Nagashima, 2002) and remain throughout adult life (Koukkari & Sothern, 2006).

Nature visits during the COVID-19 pandemic in Norway: Facilitators, motives, and associations with sociodemographic characteristics.

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has been linked to increased mental health issues and reduced well-being. Researchers also reports increased frequency of nature visits during the pandemic, proposing it may mitigate some of these negative consequences. Using the case of Norway, a country with ample access to nature and relatively low levels of pandemic-related restrictions, this study sought to (i) understand how the COVID-19 crisis impacted patterns of nature visits and specific nature-based activities, (ii) examine how these patterns varied among different population groups and levels of restrictions, and (iii) explore the motives and facilitators for increased frequency of nature visits. Methods: The data were retrieved from a national cross-sectional survey conducted in June 2021, which was designed to assess participants (n = 1,005, age > 15 years) habits in relation to nature visits and outdoor recreation since the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis, and associated factors. Results: The results showed that 32 % of participants increased their frequency of nature visits during the crisis, while 11 % experienced a decrease. Multivariate logistic regression revealed significant positive associations between increased frequency of nature visits and longer duration of lockdown restrictions (OR [95% CI] = 2.35 [1.28-4.29] and 4.92 [2.77-8.74] for a few weeks and several months of lockdown, respectively). Increased frequency of nature visits was also more likely among women, younger respondents, and individuals from high-income households. A Cochran's Q test showed that the most common motive for increased frequency of nature visits was "To be physically active" (74%). The most commonly reported facilitators were the possibility of using natural environments as an alternative to gyms and organized sports alongside having more time available (58 and 49%, respectively). Conclusion: These findings suggest that nature visits provided important opportunities for physical activity during the COVID-19 crisis, but also that the mental health benefits of nature visits during such times may be under-communicated. This highlights the importance of access to natural environments to promote physical activity and health, but also suggests that campaigns that specifically communicate the beneficial effects of nature visits during lockdowns or similar stressful situations might help people cope with the situation.

Seasonal Variations in the Effectiveness of Immersive Virtual Nature.

AIM: The aim of this study was to assess whether the outcomes of immersive virtual nature (IVN) varies between seasons. BACKGROUND: IVN has received increased interest in recent years due to its potential applications within health and design. However, factors influencing people's responses to IVN are largely unknown. Seasons affect a variety of human processes and behaviors including levels of affect and blood pressure, also in the context of human-nature interactions. These seasonal variations might influence how people interact and respond to IVN, especially since IVN allow for representations of nature that are not representative of the current real-life season. METHODS: A secondary analysis of data retrieved from two previous studies, which included three IVN conditions, was conducted. All IVNs represented late spring conditions. Measures included perceived environmental restorativeness, affect, enjoyment, heart rate, and blood pressure. A meta-analytic approach was used to assess whether there were consistent differences between participants who were exposed to the IVN in spring/summer (early June to mid-September) and autumn/winter (mid-September to December) across the three different conditions. RESULTS: There was a consistent effect of season only for one component of affect (fatigue), with larger reductions in fatigue when exposed to IVN during autumn/winter compared to spring/summer. No other significant effects of season were observed. CONCLUSION: IVNs are feasible to use across all seasons but might be more effective in reducing the feeling of fatigue during autumn and winter compared to other seasons.

Psychophysiological mechanisms underlying the effects of outdoor green and virtual green exercise during self-paced walking.

Physical activity in the presence of nature can lead to additional, more distinct mental health benefits such as lower stress and anxiety levels and an overall better psychological state when compared to indoor physical activity. Interestingly, the brain mechanisms underlying the effects of green exercise (GE) and virtual green exercise (VGE) on psychological responses are hitherto under-researched. The present study sought to deepen our understanding of the brain mechanisms underlying the effects of GE and VGE during self-paced walking. Thirty individuals took part in the present study. Two experimental (i.e., GE and VGE) and a control condition (CO) were administered in a randomized and counterbalanced order. Participants were asked to walk for » mile at a pace of their choosing and self-report their psychological states at various timepoints during the exercise trials. Heart rate variability and the brain's electrical activity were monitored continuously throughout the experimental protocol. An accelerometer was used to identify the beginning and end of each step. The results indicate that both experimental manipulations were sufficient to influence the majority of psychological and psychophysiological parameters. The most pronounced effects were identified for GE when compared to CO and VGE. VGE was also sufficient to evoke positive emotions and partially reallocate attention externally, although such effects were less pronounced than those observed for GE. The brain mechanisms underlying the abovementioned psychophysiological responses may be associated with significant changes in theta activity throughout the cerebral cortex as well as increased connectivity in the frontal and parietal areas.

Theoretical construct into blocks of actigraphic-derived sleep parameters.

Actigraphic parameters can provide indication of people's sleep quality during their daily lives. However, there is a need for clear guidelines on the understanding of the different actigraphic parameters. The present study aims to propose a conceptual and theoretical framework for known actigraphic-derived parameters, which is able to describe the alternation between rest and wake phases during the nocturnal sleep, explaining their main characteristics and interrelations that can be replicated in future studies. Forty Sport Sciences students at the University of Milan (20 males; mean age ± SD, 22 ± 3 y) completed the validated Italian version of Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire (MEQ) and wore an actigraph (Motion Watch 8®, Cambridge Neurotechnology, Cambridge, UK) for seven days. A framework was developed to depict the interactions between the actigraphic parameters and how they objectively describe sleep, according to which the parameters are organized into three different functional blocks related to different aspects of sleep. Correlations analyses were conducted to explore the relationships among the primary actigraphic parameters within and across the functional blocks. The proposed framework is a purely theoretical construct that provides a simple interpretation of known actigraphic parameters guiding researchers and practitioners in the use of these parameters either for research or clinical purposes.

Self-Rated Health Among Italian Immigrants Living in Norway: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Most studies on immigrant health focus on immigrant groups coming from extra-European and/or low-income countries. Little attention is given to self-rated health (SRH) in the context EU/EEA migration. To know more about health among European immigrants can provide new insights related to social determinants of health in the migration context. Using the case of Italian immigrants in Norway, the aim of this study was to (i) examine the levels of SRH among Italian immigrants in Norway as compared with the Norwegian and the Italian population, (ii) examine the extent to which the Italian immigrant perceived that moving to Norway had a positive or negative impact on their SRH; and (iii) identify the most important factors predicting SRH among Italian immigrants in Norway. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among adult Italian immigrants in Norway (n = 321). To enhance the sample's representativeness, the original dataset was oversampled to match the proportion of key sociodemographic characteristics of the reference population using the ADASYN method (oversampled n = 531). A one-sample Chi-squared was performed to compare the Italian immigrants' SRH with figures on the Norwegian and Italian populations according to Eurostat statistics. A machine-learning approach was used to identify the most important predictors of SRH among Italian immigrants. Results: Most of the respondents (69%) rated their SRH as "good" or "very good". This figure was not significantly different with the Norwegian population, nor to the Italians living in Italy. A slight majority (55%) perceived that their health would have been the same if they continued living in Italy, while 23% perceived a negative impact. The machine-learning model selected 17 variables as relevant in predicting SRH. Among these, Age, Food habits, and Years of permanence in Norway were the variables with the highest level of importance, followed by Trust in people, Educational level, and Health literacy. Conclusions: Italian immigrants in Norway can be considered as part of a "new mobility" of high educated people. SHR is shaped by several interconnected factors. Although this study relates specifically to Italian immigrants, the findings may be extended to other immigrant populations in similar contexts.