SB and MVPA tended to exhibit a similar effect in the CG. A steady decline of cortisol in the IG is associated with relatively high levels of LPA (posterior mean = −0.728 credible interval : −1.268 −0.190). Fitted Bayesian hierarchical linear models evaluated the association between cortisol and cfDNA, and compositional SB/LPA/MVPA. SB and PA were evaluated by accelerometry, and cortisol and cfDNA levels by saliva samples. We assessed data from an EOtC program (intervention group, n = 37 control group, n = 11) in three seasons (fall/spring/summer) in outdoor lessons (IG) in a NGE and normal indoor lessons (CG).
This exploratory study aims to evaluate the association between students' cortisol, plus circulating cell-free deoxyribonucleic acid (cfDNA) levels, and their SB, light PA (LPA), and moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA). The association between biological stress markers and sedentary behavior (SB) plus PA is insufficiently evaluated in school settings.
Therefore, EOtC might be a beneficial educational intervention to promote students health. The concept of Education Outside the Classroom (EOtC) uses NGE and sets focus on PA. The compulsory school system offers great opportunities to reach every child with suitable health-related contents and interventions at an early stage. The exposure to natural green environments (NGE) seems to be beneficial for human health. These circumstances are associated with negative impacts on their health status in later life and can lead to public health issues. Additionally, the recommended amount of physical activity (PA) is not achieved by this age group. The worldwide prevalence of mental disorders in children and adolescents increased constantly. 4Department of Cultural Studies and Languages, Faculty of Arts and Education, University of Stavanger, Stavanger, Norway.3Department of Clinical Psychology, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.2Faculty of Social Science, Media and Sport, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany.1Department of Sport and Health Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany.Neuberger 2, Peter Kirsch 3, Perikles Simon 2 and Ulrich Dettweiler 4 Christoph Becker 1 *, Sebastian Schmidt 2, Elmo W.