Green Environments and Healthy Aging: Analysing the Role of Green Infrastructure in the Functional Well-Being of the Elderly -A Pilot Study

Firstly, the participants signed the declaration of informed consent to take part in the study, and after that data concerning sample characterization were collected. On the assessment day, parameters such as heart rate, blood pressure, O2 saturation, analysis of physical capacity (IPAQ), risk of falls (Morse Fall Scale), MinimentalStateExam, and perception of accessibility (Perception of Pedestrian Accessibility Scale for adults over 65) were collected. All the questionnaires were filled in privately and handed in on the same day. After completing the documents participants were randomly divided into 2 groups, randomization was done using the software www.randomizer.org. Regarding the environmental characteristics of the two selected areas temperature conditions were recorded every 300m (thermometer). To obtain the environmental noise data, a tripod, a class 1 acoustic calibrator, and a class 1 integrating sound level meter were used, by International Recommendation No. 88 of the International Organization for Legal Metrology (OIML) and the international standard IEC 61672. The sound level meter used is a CESVA model SC310, approved by ISQ. For the ambient noise measurements, the tripod was used at a height of 1.5m off the ground, with the microphone slightly raised. To evaluate the equivalent continuous sound level indicator (Leq), the statistical indicators L5 and L95, were measured, and the presence or absence of impulsive characteristics, using the A-weighted filter. Three ambient noise measurement points were established along each pedestrian route to assess the experience of walking in rural and urban areas. Different characteristics, such as sidewalk type and surroundings, were considered to better represent each route. At each point, two 10-minute continuous noise measurements were conducted, resulting in a total of 60 minutes of measurement on each route. The measurements were carried out on May 25, 2023, from 3:30 pm to 8:30 pm. Air quality was obtained from data provided by the air quality monitoring station of Guimarães to the study sites and from the air quality chart of the municipality of Guimarães. Task Participants of both groups were asked to walk twice a week, for six weeks, on two routes, one urban with 1,6km long, at speed which participants considered comfortable, with portable pulse oximeters with direct observation.