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2024 Vol.51, Issue 1 Preview Page

Plant & Forest

Physiological and psychological effects of nature-based outdoor activities on firefighters in South Korea
Sang-Eun Lee1
,
Heon-Gyo Kwon2
,
Jisu Hwang1
,
Hyelim Lee1
,
Dawou Joung3*
,
Bum-Jin Park1*
1Department of Forest Resources, Graduate School of Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Korea
2National Park Research Institute, Korea National Park Service, Kangwon 26441, Korea
3Institute of Agricultural Science, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Korea
*Corresponding Author
1 March 2024. pp. 9-23
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Abstract

This study investigates the physiological and psychological effects of a nature-based outdoor activity program in an environment reflecting the characteristics of forest and coastal areas on 30 firefighters (average age: 40.4 ± 9.8 years) who are frequently exposed to dangerous situations. Blood pressure, pulse pressure, and heart rate variability were used as physiological measurement indicators, and the Korean versions of PANAS (positive affect and negative affect schedule), WEMWBS (Warwick-Edinburgh mental well-being scale), and PRS (perceived restorativeness scale) were used as psychological measurement indicators. For four days and three nights, the participants experienced programs at Hallyeohaesang Nature Center and the surrounding mountains, seas, and islands, utilizing forest resources such as trekking on forest trails, walking barefoot, taking aromatic footbaths, meditating in forest oxygen domes, and lying on relaxation chairs, and programs utilizing marine resources such as taking a boat to an island, walking on forest trails with seascape views, and sailing on a yacht. Participants' systolic blood pressure and pulse pressure decreased, and participants' positive emotions increased and negative emotions decreased after the program. There was a statistically significant increase in mental well-being and perceived restorative environment. Through this study, it was found that nature-based outdoor activity programs based on forest and marine resources are effective in physiological and psychological stability of firefighters. It is hoped that the results of this study will be applied to other high-risk workers for PTSD, who have high stress levels, by combining forest healing and marine healing, and expanding the scope and diversity of programs in more diverse environments and conditions.

Keywords
forest and marine healing
mental well-being
positive emotions
pulse pressure
systolic blood pressure
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Information
  • Publisher :Institute of Agricultural Science, Chungnam National University
  • Publisher(Ko) :충남대학교 농업과학연구소
  • Journal Title :Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
  • Journal Title(Ko) :농업과학연구
  • Volume : 51
  • No :1
  • Pages :9-23
  • Received Date : 2023-10-06
  • Revised Date : 2023-10-24
  • Accepted Date : 2023-10-31
  • DOI :https://doi.org/10.7744/kjoas.510102
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