title: Visual color perception in green exercise: positive effects on mood and perceived exertion.
abstract: Positive effects of green exercise on physical and psychological wellbeing have been found, yet little is known about the underlying cognitive mechanisms responsible for such effects. The purpose of this visual sensation study was to establish the extent to which the color green, as a primitive visual feature of many natural environments, contributes to the green exercise effect. Fourteen participants performed three moderate-intensity 5-min cycling tasks (50% peak power output) while watching video footage of a rural cycling course that simulated cycling through a real natural environment. The three randomly counter-balanced video conditions were unedited (V(GREEN)), achromatic (V(GRAY)) or red filter (V(RED)). Lower total mood disturbance and ratings of perceived exertion were found during the V(GREEN) compared to V(GRAY) and V(RED). Feelings of anger were higher after V(RED) compared to the other conditions. Feelings of tension, depression, fatigue, vigor, and confusion did not differ among conditions. This is the first study to show that the color green, as a primitive feature of visual sensation, has a contributory effect toward positive green exercise outcomes.
authors.affiliation: School of Biological Sciences, University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester, Essex CO4 3SQ, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Adam
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Akers
authors.forename: Jo
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Barton
authors.forename: Rachel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cossey
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gainsford
authors.forename: Murray
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Griffin
authors.forename: Dominic
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Micklewright
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect; D001642:Bicycling; D003118:Color Perception; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D005082:Physical Exertion; D012119:Respiration