Eighth International Conference on Health, Wellness & Society

Abstract

Walking is the most popular form of physical activity in the United Kingdom that prolongs life expectancy and increases the physical and mental health. The collective and aesthetical experiences of leisure walking provide an opportunity for promoting walking as a therapeutic recreation that benefits well-being. However, there is limited research that evaluates the state of mental well-being of the walkers in the United Kingdom. In particular, there is a lack of empirical knowledge regarding socio-environmental influences on participation in Nordic walking and their implications for mental well-being. Thus, the purpose of this article is to measure mental well-being of the British ramblers and Nordic walkers, and identify various influences that contribute towards well-being. The project was part of a larger, mixed-method 3-year cross-sectional study. Leisure walking groups in the United Kingdom were approached between November 2013 and August 2014. Data gathered from a total of 220 British Nordic walking practitioners and 282 ramblers who completed online questionnaire. Participants answered questions about motives, importance of social and physical environment. WEMWBS was used to assess mental well-being. This study advocates that group leisure walking benefits well-being and provides an opportunity for promoting walking as a therapeutic recreation.