Exercise in our Natural and Built Environments

"The only benefit to going outside is that it helps to build physical fitness."

• True

• False

Answer explanation

Although getting out in nature encourages us to engage in physical activity, it also has many other benefits! For example, sunlight:

Stimulates production of vitamin D (the sunshine vitamin)

Regulates our internal body clock (sleep/wake cycle)

Select the activity that causes your brain to release "happiness" hormones (Endorphins and Dopamine) while benefiting physical health.

• Playing computer games

• Binge watch TV shows late at night

• Eating junk food

• Engaging in physical activity in the outdoors

Answer explanation

The activity that both causes us to feel good and improves physical health is engaging in physical activity in the great outdoors!

The other activities may cause the release of "happiness" hormones but they do not improve physical health.

Ultraviolet rays from the sun stimulate our body to produce vitamin D. Why is vitamin D important for the body?

• It helps grow our bones, muscles and immune system

• It helps keep our bones, muscles and immune system strong.

• It helps us get a tan and protects our skin

• It helps keep our organs strong

Answer explanation

The amount of sunlight you need to produce enough vitamin D depends on where you live, time of day, season and skin colour, but most people only need 5-10 minutes.

Recall what sunlight exposure helps regulate in our bodies.

• Tides

• Hygiene

• Circadian Rhythm

• Hibernation

Answer explanation

Sunlight exposure helps regulate our circadian rhythm, the biological clock that tells our body when to sleep and when to be awake and alert.

Recall which vision condition spending more time outdoors can help prevent in growing children:

• Myopia: Where things look clear up close but blurry at greater distance

• Long Sighted: Where things look blurry up close but clear far away

• Cataracts: Where the lens of the eye is cloudy

• Always being inside is best for eye health

Answer explanation

Spending more time outside can help prevent growing children from developing myopia (also known as short-sightedness), where things look clear at short distances but become blurrier further away.

Select all additional benefits of getting active in natural environments compared to doing the equivalent exercise indoors.

(more than 1 correct answer)

• More energising

• Reducing stress/negative emotions

• Increase enjoyment

• Less likely to do too much exercise

Answer explanation

Compared to exercising indoors, exercising in natural environments is more energising, better at reducing stress/negative emotions and reported as more enjoyable.

Identify TWO examples of active transport from the options below.

• Walking to school

• Getting your mum to drop you off at the movies

• Catching a train to the airport

• Cycling to your friends house

Answer explanation

Walking to school and riding a bike to your friend's house are both examples of active transport.

"Physical activity has no relation to the environment: designing neighbourhoods and cities to encourage exercise won't get sedentary people out of their houses or cars."

• True

• False

Answer explanation

This statement is false! People are more likely to walk (both for transport and recreationally) in "walkable" neighbourhoods with accessible green spaces.

The ecological model of health recognises that...

• Health is mainly influenced by how much exercise we do

• As long as you get rides from your family, you will never have to walk anywhere

• Ecologists are healthier than everyone else

• Health is influenced by multiple factors, including our environment

Answer explanation

The ecological model of health recognises that health is influenced by multiple factors, including our environment.

Walkability describes how well built environments promote...

• Gym access

• All forms of active transport

• Parks and playground access

• Outdoor workout gear