Short answer
Designers should consider how to integrate natural elements and opportunities for varied physical activity into educational and recreational spaces to encourage healthier lifestyles.
- Field
- Human Factors
- Source
- ERA (2009)
- Method
- Mixed-methods research (quantitative and qualitative)
- Sample
- 40 participants (26 for physical activity measurement, 24 for interviews; ages 9-11)
- Evidence
- Strong effect
Outdoor education programmes like Forest School can significantly increase children's physical activity by offering a more engaging and less restrictive environment than traditional schooling. This human factors research insight is drawn from a 2009 study published in ERA. Using Mixed-methods research (quantitative and qualitative) with 40 participants (26 for physical activity measurement, 24 for interviews; ages 9-11), researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Designers should consider how to integrate natural elements and opportunities for varied physical activity into educational and recreational spaces to encourage healthier lifestyles.
Forest School environments promote higher physical activity levels in children.
Outdoor education programmes like Forest School can significantly increase children's physical activity by offering a more engaging and less restrictive environment than traditional schooling.
ERA · 2009
Key Findings
- 01Children engaged in significantly more physical activity during Forest School sessions compared to typical school days.
- 02Physical activity during Forest School was of higher intensity and included more frequent longer bouts.
- 03Children met the recommended daily hour of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) during Forest School sessions.
- 04Children reported enjoyment and appreciation for the opportunity to be physically active in a novel environment.
- 05Barriers to physical activity, such as bad weather and low motivation, were less prevalent in the Forest School context.
Application
Design takeaway
Designers should consider how to integrate natural elements and opportunities for varied physical activity into educational and recreational spaces to encourage healthier lifestyles.
How to apply
When designing playgrounds, school grounds, or community recreational areas, prioritize natural features and diverse activity zones that encourage movement and exploration.
Project actions
- 01Consider how the physical environment influences user behaviour and well-being.
- 02Explore how different types of spaces can encourage or discourage physical activity.
- 03Investigate the role of nature and unstructured play in promoting health.
Method & Evidence
Variables
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- +Objective measurement of physical activity (Phase 1).
- +Inclusion of subjective user experience (Phase 2).
- +Comparison against a control condition (typical school days).
Limitations
The specific benefits observed might be unique to the 'Forest School' model and the children's prior experiences, making it hard to apply directly without adaptation.
Reliability & validity
The use of objective measures like accelerometers (implied by 'objectively measure') in Phase 1 enhances reliability. The mixed-methods approach, combining objective data with subjective experiences, strengthens the study's validity by providing a more comprehensive understanding.
Think critically
To what extent are the observed increases in physical activity due to the 'Forest School' environment itself versus the novelty of the activity and the absence of traditional classroom constraints?
Design Principles
"Environmental design that fosters engagement and reduces perceived barriers can significantly enhance user physical activity."
Understanding how environmental design influences behaviour is crucial for creating spaces that promote well-being. This research highlights the potential of nature-based learning environments to foster healthier lifestyles, which can inform the design of educational facilities and recreational spaces.
What This Means for Your Design
Kids move a lot more and have more fun when they get to play outside in nature at 'Forest School' compared to a regular school day.
How to use in your project
- 1.Use this research to justify the importance of physical activity in your design brief.
- 2.Cite this study when discussing how environmental factors influence user behaviour in your design project.
Add to My Project
Quick Cite
Paragraph starter
Research indicates that outdoor education environments, such as Forest School, can significantly enhance children's physical activity levels. A study by Lovell (2009) found that children engaged in substantially more physical activity, at higher intensities, during Forest School sessions compared to typical school days, meeting recommended daily activity guidelines and reporting greater enjoyment. This suggests that the design of educational spaces, particularly those incorporating natural elements and opportunities for unstructured play, can play a critical role in promoting healthier lifestyles.
Source
Questions About This Research
- What does the research say about forest school environments promote higher physical activity levels in children?
- Designers should consider how to integrate natural elements and opportunities for varied physical activity into educational and recreational spaces to encourage healthier lifestyles. Evidence: ERA (2009).
- Why does "Forest School environments promote higher physical activity levels in children." matter for design?
- Understanding how environmental design influences behaviour is crucial for creating spaces that promote well-being. This research highlights the potential of nature-based learning environments to foster healthier lifestyles, which can inform the design of educational facilities and recreational spaces.
- How can designers apply this research?
- Designers should consider how to integrate natural elements and opportunities for varied physical activity into educational and recreational spaces to encourage healthier lifestyles.
- What were the main findings?
- Children engaged in significantly more physical activity during Forest School sessions compared to typical school days.. Physical activity during Forest School was of higher intensity and included more frequent longer bouts.. Children met the recommended daily hour of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) during Forest School sessions.. Children reported enjoyment and appreciation for the opportunity to be physically active in a novel environment.
- What research method was used?
- Mixed-methods research (quantitative and qualitative) with 40 participants (26 for physical activity measurement, 24 for interviews; ages 9-11).
- How strong is the evidence?
- Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2009 journal from ERA.
- What should I do differently in my next project?
- When designing playgrounds, school grounds, or community recreational areas, prioritize natural features and diverse activity zones that encourage movement and exploration.
- What are the limitations?
- The study was conducted in a specific geographical location (Scotland) and focused on a particular age group (9-11 years old). The findings may not be generalizable to all climates, age groups, or types of outdoor education programmes.