Blue Gym Research
Overview
The Blue Gym divides its research into two core areas: activity / event assessment and academic experimental / field research.
1) Activity / Event Assessment: We are keen to support existing organisations evaluate their water based events and activities. The primary aims are to:
a) Help organisations understand the effect their programmes have on their clients' or participants' mental and physical well-being;
b) Help organisations include an evaluation component into funding bids;
c) Help us develop an overview of the general impact of water-based activities on people's mental and physical well-being;.
Share the Smile
- A multi-sport programme to pair-up existing water sport enthusiasts with keen novices supported by the Environment Agency.
Surf Action
- A surf-based intervention programme developed by Rich Emerson (with support from Cornwall Job Centre Plus) to help military personnel and their families suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
Walking the Coastal Way to Health
- A series of guided walks to support people with physical or mental health issues spend more time around aquatic environments supported by the National Marine Aquarium.
Surf for Success
- A surf based intervention carried out by Cornish based "Globalboarders Ltd." for children with emotional and behavioural issues.
What can we do for your organisation?
The Blue Gym is currently developing a standard questionnaire "Water & Well-Being" that organisations can use with their participants. It has been especially designed to tie in with key government targets on mental and physical well-being. We are developing both adult and child versions. The idea is that the organisation will ensure that people fill in the questionnaire (preferably online) before and after the event/activity and send us the results for further analysis. We can then produce a summary report to feed back to the organisations. For further information on the Water & Well-Being questionnaire please contact: Dr. Mat White [email protected]
We are working with a range of partners on new research projects in other areas, and will add to this page as new projects are approved and funding confirmed.
2) Experimental / field research: We also conduct more detailed experimental and field research on a number of specific projects. The primary aims are to:
a) Publish our findings in peer-reviewed scientific journals;
b) Meet the standards of research sufficient to support evidence-based policy making;
c) Identify needs for further research and investment.
Research findings to date include:
Mental health benefits of aquatic scenes
Work at the University of Plymouth suggests that viewing scenes of water confirms more psychological benefits than viewing either green space or urban scenes. For more details see:
White, M.P., Smith, A., Humphryes, K., Pahl, S., Snelling, D., & Depledge, M. (in press). Blue Space: The importance of water for preferences, affect and restorativeness ratings of natural and built scenes. Journal of Environmental Psychology.
Increased pro-environmental attitudes and intentions following an aquarium visit
Work by the University of Plymouth in collaboration with the National Marine Aquarium (NMA) has found that visiting the NMA improves people's pro-environmental attitudes and intentions. For further details see:
Wyles, K., Pahl, S., White, M., Morris, S., Snelling, D. (under review). Enhancing the "Marine Mindset": The effects of an aquarium visit and information booklet on attitudes and intentions about fish sustainability and marine pollution.
For further details of other scientific/academic projects currently underway please contact Dr. Mat White - [email protected]
