Psychophysiological Effects of Green Exercise in Outdoor Green vs. Indoor Control

The POMS TMD is a self-report scale consisting of 6 subscales: Tension, Depression, Anger, Fatigue, Confusion, and Vigor. Each item is rated on a 5-point scale (0 = Not at all to 4 = Extremely). The TMD score is calculated as: (Tension + Depression + Anger + Fatigue + Confusion) - Vigor. The final outcome (ΔTMD) is the difference between the post-intervention TMD score and the pre-intervention (baseline) TMD score [ΔTMD = TMD (Post) - TMD (Pre)]. TMD scores range from -120 to 120. A larger negative ΔTMD value indicates a greater reduction in negative emotions and more significant psychological restoration.

This scale assesses the individual's levels of self-identification and connection with the natural world across three specific dimensions: NR-Self (e.g., "I feel that I am a part of nature"), NR-Experience (e.g., "I enjoy being outdoors, even in unpleasant weather"), and NR-Perspective (e.g., "Animals and plants should have rights similar to humans"). Items are rated on a 5-point Likert scale (1 = Strongly Disagree to 5 = Strongly Agree). The Nature Relatedness (Final Score) is calculated as the average of all item scores. Total scores range from 6 to 30, where higher scores represent a stronger subjective connection and identification with nature.

The NSSI is a composite index designed to quantify objective and subjective sensory information harvesting across three sections:1. Section A: Free Recall: Participants have 2 minutes to list specific natural details perceived through sight, sound, smell, or touch. The score is the total number of valid natural items recalled.2. Section B: Sensory Recognition: A checklist of sensory items (e.g., fragrance of pine, rustling leaves) where participants tick items actually perceived. The score is the number of correct hits, excluding distractors (e.g., traffic noise).3. Section C: Aesthetic Immersion: A 3-item scale assessing immersion and "oneness" with the environment. Items are rated on a 5-point Likert scale (1 = Strongly Disagree to 5 = Strongly Agree).The final NSSI score is a weighted composite of these three sections. The total score ranges from 0 to 100, higher scores indicate a greater volume, accuracy, and depth of sensory stimuli captured during the intervention.

This scale assesses the participant's subjective perception of the environment's restorative qualities across four dimensions: Being Away, Fascination, Extent, and Compatibility. Each item is rated on a 5-point scale (1 = Not at all to 5 = Extremely). The final outcome (ΔPRS) is calculated as the difference between the post-intervention score and the pre-intervention baseline score [ΔPRS = PRS (Post) - PRS (Pre)]. The score for this change measure ranges from -4 to 4 (based on the average score difference). A positive ΔPRS indicates an increase in the perceived restorative quality of the environment.

This measure assesses the restoration of attention and working memory through two tasks: Digit Span Forward (Part A) and Digit Span Backward (Part B). For each task, participants are tested on span lengths from 3 to 9 digits, with two trials provided for each length. The Total Digit Span Score is the sum of the maximum spans or total successful trials from both tasks (A+B). The total score for this measure ranges from 0 to 18. The final outcome is the change score calculated as [ΔDigit Span = Digit Span (Post) - Digit Span (Pre)]. An increase in the score represents improved cognitive focus and restoration of directed attention.

This scale measures the participant's state self-esteem and sense of self-worth based on their feelings "RIGHT NOW". It consists of 4 items assessing self-worth, positive qualities, attitude toward oneself, and self-satisfaction. Each item is rated on a 4-point scale (1=Strongly Disagree to 4=Agree). The total self-esteem score ranges from 4 to 16. The final outcome (ΔSelf-Esteem) is calculated as the difference between the post-intervention score and the pre-intervention baseline score [ΔSelf-Esteem = Self-Esteem (Post) - Self-Esteem (Pre)]. The score for this change measure ranges from -12 to 12. A positive ΔSelf-Esteem indicates an improvement in the individual's sense of self-worth following the intervention.

This measure assesses the physiological stress recovery of participants by monitoring heart rate (measured in beats per minute, bpm). The final outcome is the change in heart rate calculated as [ΔHR = HR (Post) - HR (Pre)]. A decrease in heart rate from T0 to T2 indicates a transition toward parasympathetic nervous system dominance and successful physiological restoration.

This measure assesses the biological stress response by measuring the concentration of cortisol in saliva, which reflects the activity of the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis. Saliva samples are collected using a swab and analyzed via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The concentration is typically measured in nmol/L or μg/dL. The final outcome is the change in cortisol levels calculated as [ΔCortisol = Cortisol (T2) - Cortisol (T0)]. A decrease in cortisol concentration indicates a reduction in physiological stress and a successful restorative effect of the environment.