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A laboratory experiment to examine psychophysiological responses associated with the recollections of outdoor recreation experiences was conducted. Forty-four subjects (41% female, mean age of total sample = 25.2 years) recalled an active and passive outdoor recreation experience and a negative stressful (exam) experience. Recollections were compared on physiological responses (heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and skin conductance) and psychological responses (negative and positive affect) using a repeated measures design. Overall, physiological activation was greatest for exam and active recollections, positive mood was highest for active recollections, and negative mood was lowest for passive recollections. Results were interpreted within the framework of arousal theory. Implications for theoretical, applied and method issues in outdoor recreation research are discussed.
Tarrant et al. (Thu,) studied this question.