A Study on the Effects of Forest Therapy on Sarcopenia

Purpose: The goal of this study is to investigate the effects of an 8-week Forest Based Intervention program on muscle strength, physical performance, and psychological well-being in older women with sarcopenia. Duration: The program lasts for 8 weeks, with 2 sessions per week (16 sessions total). Each session is approximately 180 minutes. Activities: Participants will take part in a structured program at the Caoling Shibi Forest Healing Base in Yunlin. The program includes forest trail walking, resistance training using elastic bands, stretching, and sensory activities such as aromatherapy and deep breathing. Assessments: Researchers will evaluate physical indicators and psychological well-being before the program, immediately after, and at a 2-month follow-up. Goal: We hope to determine if combining structured exercise with the forest environment can effectively improve the health and quality of life for older women with sarcopenia.

Inclusion Criteria: * Female aged 55 years or older. * Meet the AWGS 2025 criteria for sarcopenia (low handgrip strength and low skeletal muscle mass index). * Able to walk independently or with assistive devices and safely participate in low-to-moderate intensity exercise training. * Willing to commit to the 8-week intervention (16 sessions total) and provide signed informed consent. Exclusion Criteria: * History of major acute illness, hospitalization, or surgery within the past 3 months. * Severe cardiovascular, respiratory, or other systemic diseases that make moderate-intensity exercise unsafe. * Severe osteoarticular or neurological disorders that significantly impair walking or exercise safety. * Severe cognitive impairment that prevents understanding of study procedures or cooperation with the intervention. * Presence of implanted medical devices (e.g., pacemakers) that would interfere with bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). * Regular participation in structured resistance training or high-intensity exercise within the past 3 months.