Watching nature through the window cannot be overlooked! Nexus between green window view, physical activity intention, and intensity among older adults

Abstract

Extensive studies have underscored the positive associations between various types of greenspace exposure and physical activity (PA); however, few studies have examined the beneficial effects of greenspaces viewed from windows on the PA of older adults. This study is the first to disentangle the association between green window views (GWV) and PA intensity and determine whether this association is mediated by PA intention. Using three-dimensional (3D) point-cloud data derived from Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) photogrammetry, we developed a set of 3D indicators to evaluate objective GWV across four dimensions: naturalness (window greening view ratio), diversity (window vegetation colour richness index), complexity (window vegetation complexity index), and coherence (window greening unity index). In addition, we collected perceived greenness as a subjective GWV metric. A total of 1,007 older adults from 40 residential communities in Nanjing, China were recruited to report their PA intention and intensity. A hierarchical linear model and multilevel mediation analysis were then employed to examine the associations between the GWV, PA intention, and PA intensity. The results suggest that the window greening view ratio was positively associated with PA intensity, while the window vegetation colour richness index showed a negative association. The window greening view ratio, window vegetation complexity index, window greening unity index, and perceived greenness are significantly associated with PA intention, which, in turn, may enhance PA intensity among older adults. Our findings shed light on how visible vegetation characteristics from windows may influence PA intensity among older adults and whether these associations can be partially mediated by PA intention, offering valuable insights for policy initiatives focused on health-oriented greenspace planning.