title: The relationship between nature-based tourism and autonomic nervous system function among older adults.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Nature-based tourism has recently become a topic of interest in health research. This study was aimed at examining relationships among nature-based tourism, stress, and the function of the autonomic nervous system (ANS).
  
  
  METHODS
  Three hundred and twenty-two older adults living in Taichung City, Taiwan, were selected as participants. Data were collected by a face-to-face survey that included measures of the frequency of participation in domestic and international nature-based tourism and the stress and ANS function of these participants. The data were analyzed using a path analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results demonstrated that the frequency of participation in domestic nature-based tourism directly contributed to ANS function and that it also indirectly contributed to ANS function through stress reduction.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Domestic nature-based tourism can directly and indirectly contribute to ANS function among older adults. Increasing the frequency of participation in domestic nature-based tourism should be considered a critical element of health programs for older adults.
authors.affiliation: Department of Living Sciences, National Open University, New Taipei City, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Liang-Chih
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Chang
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001341:Autonomic Nervous System / Q000502:physiology*; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D065928:Forests; D015438:Health Behavior; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007899:Leisure Activities / Q000145:classification / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male; D013177:Sports / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013624:Taiwan; D014195:Travel / Q000145:classification / Q000523:psychology