Poster Presentation ESA-SRB-ANZOS 2025 in conjunction with ENSA

Adolescence is an important life stage characterised by significant social, physical, and psychological development. Physical activity is essential for promoting physical and mental health in adolescents. Activity of a moderate-to-vigorous intensity (MVPA) is associated with numerous benefits, including improved cardio-metabolic health, fitness, bone health, emotional wellbeing, and maintenance of a healthy weight. Greenspace (e.g., trees, parks, etc.) plays an important role in adolescent mental health, but less is known about its links with MVPA. The aim of this research was to undertake a systematic literature review to examine associations between greenspace (measured using geographic information systems; GIS) and MVPA among adolescents (aged 10 to 19 years). We followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines and published our protocol in PROSPERO (https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD42024562009). Search terms were developed from previous research, and included terms for the key categories of adolescence, MVPA, and GIS-measured greenspace. Descriptive and observational studies with either a cross-sectional, experimental or longitudinal design were eligible (qualitative studies, reviews, opinions and conference proceedings were excluded). We searched five databases (SCOPUS, GEOBASE, Medline, EMBASE, and Web of Science) from 1980 onwards. Covidence was used for screening, data extraction and quality assessment. Harvest plots were used to examine patterns in relationships between greenspace and adolescent MVPA. Fifteen articles were included of which ten reported positive relationships between greenspace and adolescent MVPA, while five found non-significant relationships (see Figure). More evidence focusing on adolescents is needed, including longitudinal studies, more detailed examination of greenspace types, and measurement of greenspace contact.