Green Prescription – an Innovative Method for Promoting Activity

The study was a controlled experiment lasting 14 weeks and concerned the evaluation of the effectiveness of an innovative educational intervention using the “Green Prescription” in promoting physical activity (PA) during leisure time among young people aged 15–17 (n = 148). The intervention was applied to three risk groups with insufficient PA levels: adolescents who were overweight (group A, n = 31); excessive electronic device users (B, n = 40); and those with low social support (C, n = 37). The control group (D, n = 40) consisted of students with sufficient PA, without intervention. The experiment included: a 7-day preliminary measurement, a 12-week intervention, and a 7-day final measurement. The subjective level of moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) was assessed using the Prochaska et al. test, and objective PA data (distance covered in kilometres) was recorded using a Huawei Watch Fit SE wristband. The results showed an increase in MVPA and distance covered in all intervention groups: MVPA – A (2.53 ± 1.52 → 4.05 ± 1.37 days/week), B (2.81 ± 1.21 → 3.60 ± 1.43), C (2.84 ± 1.52 → 3.74 ± 1.40); distance – A (3.76 ± 1.53 → 8.51 ± 3.11 km/day), B (4.12 ± 2.13 → 8.47 ± 2.67), C (4.63 ± 2.76 → 8.91 ± 1.46). At the same time, the control group showed a decrease in MVPA (5.53 ± 0.84 → 4.96 ± 1.18) and distance covered (6.87 ± 2.38 → 6.85±3.10). The “Green Prescription” proved to be an effective tool in supporting the health-promoting PA of young people from risk groups, which indicates its potential in prevention and health promotion.