title: Effects of Forest Bathing on Cardiovascular and Metabolic Parameters in Middle-Aged Males.
abstract: In the present study, we investigated the effects of a forest bathing on cardiovascular and metabolic parameters. Nineteen middle-aged male subjects were selected after they provided informed consent. These subjects took day trips to a forest park in Agematsu, Nagano Prefecture, and to an urban area of Nagano Prefecture as control in August 2015. On both trips, they walked 2.6 km for 80 min each in the morning and afternoon on Saturdays. Blood and urine were sampled before and after each trip. Cardiovascular and metabolic parameters were measured. Blood pressure and pulse rate were measured during the trips. The Japanese version of the profile of mood states (POMS) test was conducted before, during, and after the trips. Ambient temperature and humidity were monitored during the trips. The forest bathing program significantly reduced pulse rate and significantly increased the score for vigor and decreased the scores for depression, fatigue, anxiety, and confusion. Urinary adrenaline after forest bathing showed a tendency toward decrease. Urinary dopamine after forest bathing was significantly lower than that after urban area walking, suggesting the relaxing effect of the forest bathing. Serum adiponectin after the forest bathing was significantly greater than that after urban area walking.
authors: Department of Hygiene and Public Health, Nippon Medical School, 1-1-5 Sendagi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8602, Japan.
authors: Qing
authors: 0000-0003-2660-1464
authors: Q
authors: Li
authors: Department of Hygiene and Public Health, Nippon Medical School, 1-1-5 Sendagi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8602, Japan.
authors: Maiko
authors: M
authors: Kobayashi
authors: Nagano Prefectural Kiso Hospital, 6613-4 Fukushima, Kiso-cho, Kiso-gun, Nagano 397-8555, Japan.
authors: Shigeyoshi
authors: S
authors: Kumeda
authors: Forest Baubiologie Studio Inc., 3-40-10 Kinugaoka, Hachiouji-shi, Tokyo 192-0912, Japan.
authors: Toshiya
authors: T
authors: Ochiai
authors: Agematsu Town Office Industry & Tourism Department, 2-13 Ekimae-dori, Agematsu Town, Kiso-gun, Nagano 399-5603, Japan.
authors: Takashi
authors: T
authors: Miura
authors: Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute, 1 Matsunosato, Tsukuba 305-8687, Japan.
authors: Takahide
authors: 0000-0002-5889-1040
authors: T
authors: Kagawa
authors: Le Verseau Inc., 3-19-4 Miyasaka, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 156-0051, Japan.
authors: Michiko
authors: M
authors: Imai
authors: Clinical Audit Group, Regulatory Affairs Audit Department, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., 1-1 Nihonbashi-Muromachi 2-Chome, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 103-8324, Japan.
authors: Zhiyu
authors: Z
authors: Wang
authors: Department of Hygiene and Public Health, Nippon Medical School, 1-1-5 Sendagi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8602, Japan.
authors: Toshiaki
authors: T
authors: Otsuka
authors: Department of Hygiene and Public Health, Nippon Medical School, 1-1-5 Sendagi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8602, Japan.
authors: Tomoyuki
authors: T
authors: Kawada