The influence of outdoor physical activity as a preventive action in improving mental health

Cilj ovog diplomskog rada bio je utvrditi povezanosti boravka u prirodi i tjelesne aktivnosti s mentalnim zdravljem izraženo putem simptoma depresije, anksioznosti i stresa. Ispitanici su bili članovi društva sportske rekreacije (DŠR) FeelGood (n = 41), a njihov zadatak je bio ispunjavanje elektroničke ankete koja je sadržavala pitanja o učestalosti i trajanju posjeta prirodnom okruženju, angažmanu u različitim tjelesnim aktivnostima na otvorenom u prirodi, i procjeni vlastitog mentalnog zdravlja. U ovom istraživanju primijenjena su dva validirana upitnika: DASS-21, koji se koristi kako bi dobili uvid u to kako se netko osjeća te ispituje prisutnost depresivnih i anksioznih simptoma te simptoma stresa, te upitnik Aktivnosti na otvorenom u prirodi, koji uključuje pitanja o vježbačevom angažmanu u različitim vrstama aktivnosti na otvorenom, učestalosti i trajanju posjeta prirodnom okruženju. Glavni rezultati istraživanja ukazuju na statistički značajnu, iako relativno malu, povezanost između vrtlarenja i simptoma depresije te vožnje bicikla i simptoma stresa. Osobe koje vrtlare su pokazali nešto više simptoma depresije, dok su osobe koje voze bicikl pokazale znakove stresa. Prema navedenim rezultatima preporučuje se razmatranje i promicanje drugih oblika tjelesne aktivnosti na otvorenom koji bi mogli imati pozitivan utjecaj na mentalno zdravlje, posebno u urbanim sredinama gdje se vrtlarenje i vožnja bicikla nije pokazala najboljom opcijom. Isto tako, u zaključku je istaknuta važnost nastavka istraživanja i razmatranja intervencija usmjerenih na prevenciju i poboljšanje mentalnog zdravlja putem tjelesne aktivnosti.This thesis aimed to determine the connections between being in nature and physical activity with mental health, emphasizing symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress. The respondents were members of the Sports Recreation Society (DŠR) FeelGood association, and their task was to fill in an electronic survey that contained questions about the frequency and duration of visits to the natural environment, engagement in various outdoor activities in nature, and how one feels. In this research, two validated questionnaires were applied: DASS-21, which is used to gain insight into how someone feels and examines the presence of depressive and anxiety symptoms and stress symptoms, and the Outdoor Activities questionnaire, which includes questions about the exerciser's engagement in different types of outdoor activities, frequency, and duration of visits to the natural environment. The main results of the research indicate a statistically significant, albeit relatively small, association between gardening and symptoms of depression and cycling and symptoms of stress. People who garden showed slightly more symptoms of depression, while people who ride bicycles showed signs of stress. According to the mentioned results, it is recommended to consider and promote other forms of outdoor physical activity that could positively impact mental health, especially in urban areas where gardening and cycling did not prove to be the best option. Likewise, the research highlights the importance of continuing research and considering interventions aimed at preventing and improving mental health through physical activity