Walking in a self-selected enjoyable colored environment: exploring gender-specific effects and dynamics of affects, perceived exertion, heart rate, and preferred walking speed
AimExisting literature suggests that exposure to colored environments can influence psychological, physiological, and behavioral responses. This study examined the effects of experiencing a self-selected enjoyable colored environment, compared to a neutral one, on psychological and physiological res...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Psychology |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1502172/full |
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| author | Youmna Elsayed Hassanein Youmna Elsayed Hassanein Walid Briki Lina Majed |
| author_facet | Youmna Elsayed Hassanein Youmna Elsayed Hassanein Walid Briki Lina Majed |
| author_sort | Youmna Elsayed Hassanein |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | AimExisting literature suggests that exposure to colored environments can influence psychological, physiological, and behavioral responses. This study examined the effects of experiencing a self-selected enjoyable colored environment, compared to a neutral one, on psychological and physiological responses, as well as preferred walking speed during a 20-min treadmill walk.MethodsEighty participants (40 females) were randomly assigned to either an experimental group (preferred colored environment) or a control group (neutral gray environment). Data were collected at five regular intervals during the treadmill walk.ResultsParticipants walked significantly slower in the colored environment compared to the neutral one, with this effect more pronounced in females, who significantly reduced their walking speed, while males remained unaffected. The walking task generally decreased depression and confusion levels; females showed a stronger reduction in depression, while males exhibited no significant change. During the task, females revealed significantly higher levels of perceived exertion and heart rate compared to males. A dynamic pattern emerged over time, with increases in perceived exertion, arousal, heart rate, and walking speed, while pleasure levels remained stable.ConclusionsThe findings suggest that females are more responsive—psychologically, physiologically, and behaviorally—to both the preferred colored environment and the walking task, demonstrating a greater tendency to derive wellbeing benefits from subtle stimuli. Furthermore, the observed dynamic pattern suggests the view that self-paced walking is intrinsically governed by a pleasure-driven dynamic. These insights offer valuable implications for designing tailored interventions and strategies to promote physical activity through walking. Future research should further explore the role of color preference perception and self-paced walking in enhancing wellbeing, particularly within exercise and rehabilitation contexts. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-5cc86276e8db41c291a50d7188209443 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1664-1078 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Psychology |
| spelling | doaj-art-5cc86276e8db41c291a50d71882094432025-01-21T08:36:34ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Psychology1664-10782025-01-011610.3389/fpsyg.2025.15021721502172Walking in a self-selected enjoyable colored environment: exploring gender-specific effects and dynamics of affects, perceived exertion, heart rate, and preferred walking speedYoumna Elsayed Hassanein0Youmna Elsayed Hassanein1Walid Briki2Lina Majed3College of Health and Life Sciences, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Doha, QatarSport Science Program, College of Arts and Sciences, Qatar University, Doha, QatarIndependent Researcher, Grasse, FranceCollege of Health and Life Sciences, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Doha, QatarAimExisting literature suggests that exposure to colored environments can influence psychological, physiological, and behavioral responses. This study examined the effects of experiencing a self-selected enjoyable colored environment, compared to a neutral one, on psychological and physiological responses, as well as preferred walking speed during a 20-min treadmill walk.MethodsEighty participants (40 females) were randomly assigned to either an experimental group (preferred colored environment) or a control group (neutral gray environment). Data were collected at five regular intervals during the treadmill walk.ResultsParticipants walked significantly slower in the colored environment compared to the neutral one, with this effect more pronounced in females, who significantly reduced their walking speed, while males remained unaffected. The walking task generally decreased depression and confusion levels; females showed a stronger reduction in depression, while males exhibited no significant change. During the task, females revealed significantly higher levels of perceived exertion and heart rate compared to males. A dynamic pattern emerged over time, with increases in perceived exertion, arousal, heart rate, and walking speed, while pleasure levels remained stable.ConclusionsThe findings suggest that females are more responsive—psychologically, physiologically, and behaviorally—to both the preferred colored environment and the walking task, demonstrating a greater tendency to derive wellbeing benefits from subtle stimuli. Furthermore, the observed dynamic pattern suggests the view that self-paced walking is intrinsically governed by a pleasure-driven dynamic. These insights offer valuable implications for designing tailored interventions and strategies to promote physical activity through walking. Future research should further explore the role of color preference perception and self-paced walking in enhancing wellbeing, particularly within exercise and rehabilitation contexts.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1502172/fullcolor psychologyapproach motivationmoodphysiologymotor behaviorsex |
| spellingShingle | Youmna Elsayed Hassanein Youmna Elsayed Hassanein Walid Briki Lina Majed Walking in a self-selected enjoyable colored environment: exploring gender-specific effects and dynamics of affects, perceived exertion, heart rate, and preferred walking speed Frontiers in Psychology color psychology approach motivation mood physiology motor behavior sex |
| title | Walking in a self-selected enjoyable colored environment: exploring gender-specific effects and dynamics of affects, perceived exertion, heart rate, and preferred walking speed |
| title_full | Walking in a self-selected enjoyable colored environment: exploring gender-specific effects and dynamics of affects, perceived exertion, heart rate, and preferred walking speed |
| title_fullStr | Walking in a self-selected enjoyable colored environment: exploring gender-specific effects and dynamics of affects, perceived exertion, heart rate, and preferred walking speed |
| title_full_unstemmed | Walking in a self-selected enjoyable colored environment: exploring gender-specific effects and dynamics of affects, perceived exertion, heart rate, and preferred walking speed |
| title_short | Walking in a self-selected enjoyable colored environment: exploring gender-specific effects and dynamics of affects, perceived exertion, heart rate, and preferred walking speed |
| title_sort | walking in a self selected enjoyable colored environment exploring gender specific effects and dynamics of affects perceived exertion heart rate and preferred walking speed |
| topic | color psychology approach motivation mood physiology motor behavior sex |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1502172/full |
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