In this study we investigated the neuro-cognitive mechanisms of "green exercise benefits" by examining how natural versus urban virtual environments affect peripheral visual object recognition and perceived exertion during movement.

Thirty participants (age = 27.30 ± 4.20, 8 females) performed an object detection task (identifying birds, traffic signs, or control stimuli) while seated or walking in VR-simulated nature (forest) or urban (city) settings. A 64-channel mobile EEG system was used to record neural activities during the object recognition task. Event-related potentials (ERPs), time-locked to the object onset, were computed and compared among the different objects, environments, and movement conditions.

Behaviorally, reaction times showed significant main effects of movement, F(1,29)=10.83, p<0.01, partial η²=0.030, environment, F(1,29)=6.24, p<0.05, partial η²=0.060, and stimulus type, F(1,29)=14.95, p<0.001, partial η²=0.140. Reaction times were faster during walking versus sitting, in urban versus natural environments, and for traffic signs versus other stimuli. A significant movement × environment interaction, F(1,29)=9.3, p<0.01, partial η²=0.010 revealed slower responses when walking in nature compared to other conditions, despite improved perceived exertion and spatial satisfaction. Neurophysiologically, movement showed a strong main effect, F(1,29)=68.11, p<0.001, partial η²=0.700, with enhanced P300 amplitude during walking, particularly over posterior areas. Control stimuli elicited smaller P300 responses than other stimuli.

The results suggest that natural environments specifically enhance perceptual experience during movement, aligning with green exercise benefits, while locomotion itself modulates attentional resource distribution.