The Impact of Urban Greenery on Running Behavior: A Novel Geographic Approach Using Immersive Virtual Environments

Using a novel experimental design that uses immersive virtual reality technology, this study explores the impact of urban greenery on running performance. Participants ran in two immersive virtual urban environments while maintaining a constant (perceived) exertion level. The environments were identical except for the presence of green elements in one. Although reporting similar levels of effort and fatigue in both conditions, individuals ran significantly faster in the green environment and reported higher levels of relaxation, health, fascination, and enjoyment. Based on our findings, we propose perceived exertion as a potential mechanism that might moderate running performance. The study highlights the potential of immersive virtual technology to investigate environmental impact on human behavior beyond static representations. As immersive technologies advance, they could become a central tool in geographic research on spatial behavior.