SynthesisFrontiers in psychology2026
Effects of green exercise on mental health: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Synthesis in Frontiers in psychology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
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Authors and funding
5 authors.
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Abstract
Introduction: With the increasing global prevalence of mental health issues, green exercise has emerged as a promising intervention, though its effectiveness remains uncertain. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to clarify the mental health benefits of green exercise by comparing its impact on well-being, positive affect, and negative affect with indoor exercise, built-up exercise, and non-exercise groups. Methods: Fifty-one relevant studies, the outcome data of which were used for the systematic review and meta-analysis, were identified across the PubMed, Web of Science, EBSCOhost, PsycINFO, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases. Results: The meta-analysis revealed significant effects of green exercise on mental health outcomes. Compared to non-exercise, green exercise significantly improved well-being (SMD = 0.46), positive affect (SMD = [1.18, 1.83]), and reduced negative affect (SMD = [-0.34, -3.38]). Compared to indoor exercise, it significantly improved well-being (SMD = 0.65), positive affect (SMD = [0.68, 1.20]), and slightly reduced negative affect (SMD = [-0.31, -1.38]). Compared to built-up exercise, it significantly improved well-being (SMD = 0.22), had a large effect on positive affect (SMD = [0.59, 1.01]), and slightly reduced negative affect (SMD = [-0.21, -0.57]). Conclusion: Green exercise significantly improves mental well-being, with superior effects on positive affect and reduction of negative affect compared to indoor exercise, built-up exercise, and non-exercise. Future research should explore the long-term effects of green exercise and identify optimal conditions for maximizing its mental health benefits. Syestematic review registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD420251235047, Registration ID (Unique Identifier): CRD420251235047.
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