Abstract
BACKGROUND: The German word "kurort" means cure (kur) and area (ort), whereby a patient's health improves through walking in areas full of nature. A single session of kurort health walking (kurort) decreased high blood pressure and improved mental health. However, its continuing effect with repeat sessions remains unclear. METHODS AND RESULTS: The subjects participated twice in kurort health walking in specially designated courses in Gifu City (n=242). Systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and pulse rate (PR) were measured before and after kurort health walking. Mental health was assessed using a 10-item checklist after kurort health walking. Both basal SBP and DBP before walking were significantly decreased more in the second session than in the first. In both the first and second sessions SBP and DBP decreased, but the decrease in SBP (∆SBP) by kurort was significantly greater in the SBP ≥140- than in the SBP <140-mmHg group, SBP inversely correlated with ∆SBP, the decrease in DBP (∆DBP) was significantly greater in the DBP ≥90- than in the DBP <90-mmHg group, and DBP inversely correlated with ∆DBP. Mental health was similarly improved after both the first and second kurort. CONCLUSIONS: Basal SBP and DBP decreased more in the second than in the first kurort. The decrease in SBP and DBP, and improvement of mental health was noted after both sessions.