The psychological restorative effects of green exercise: a moderated mediation model of nature relatedness and exercise behavior
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 6, 2026

Measuring Biophysical and Psychological Stress Levels Following Visitation to Three Locations with Differing Levels of Nature
Published on: June 19, 2019
Tzu-Chun Huang1,2, Ching Li1, Ming-Wei Huang1
1Graduate Institute of Sport, Leisure and Hospitality Management, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, Taiwan.
Abstract:
Green exercise yields synergistic physical and mental health benefits; however, the psychological transformative mechanisms underlying these effects warrant further investigation. Grounded in Conditioned Restoration Theory (CRT), the main purpose of this study was to construct and validate a theoretical model of the psychological restoration pathways within green exercise contexts. Using a stratified sampling method, data were collected from 1,098 participants in Taiwan and analyzed via Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). The results revealed that Perceived Naturalness (PN) significantly enhanced Perceived Environmental Restorativeness (PER) both directly and indirectly through Nature Relatedness (NR). Furthermore, exercise behavior significantly and negatively moderated the direct pathway from PN to PER. This attenuating interaction effect suggests that vigorous or prolonged physical exertion may induce cognitive resource competition, thereby diminishing the restorative benefits derived from the natural environment. These findings not only broaden the theoretical framework for understanding the psychological restoration mechanisms of green exercise but also offer critical practical implications for public health and urban planning.
Related Concept Videos
Stress Prevention and Stress Management Techniques III
The Role of Exercise in Stress Management
Regular physical activity is essential for reducing stress and promoting cardiovascular health. Exercise strengthens the heart, enhances blood flow, keeps blood vessels flexible, and helps lower blood pressure, all of which reduce the body's stress response. Research shows that adults who exercise regularly have nearly half the risk...
Stress Prevention and Stress Management Techniques VI
Motivation and Self-Determination
Motivation, the driving force behind behavior, plays a pivotal role at every stage of the change process. The research...
Exercise and Cardiovascular Response
Light to moderate physical activity initiates a series of interconnected responses in the body. The heart rate modestly increases in anticipation of the workout, followed by widespread vasodilation as oxygen consumption by skeletal muscles increases. This results in decreased peripheral resistance, increased capillary blood flow, and accelerated...
Self-Regulation
Introduction to Stress and Lifestyle
Exercise and Cardiac Output
Sustained exercise increases the muscles' oxygen demand, which can be met...
