Abstract:

Physical activity is one of the most effective tools for individuals who try to survive among the gray concrete piles in the busy urban life, to get rid of physical and mental stress, to improve their health status, or to protect their existing health conditions. On the one hand, people trying to be a part of nature in essence, on the other hand, have to be confined to closed areas by moving away from nature. Based on this idea, the aim of our study is to examine the level of connectedness to nature of individuals who do physical activity in closed spaces according to various variables. In the study, relational scanning model, one of the quantitative research models, was used, and data were collected by cluster sampling method, one of the probability-based sampling methods. The working group consists of 280 participants who come to do physical activity on certain days of the week in private sports centers in Ankara in 2019. In order to determine the level of connectedness to nature of the participants, "Connectedness to Nature Scale" was used. Cronbach's Alpha reliability coefficient was examined before passing the tests by choosing for the general and sub-dimensions of the scale and it was determined that the scale was reliable for the specified group (α =, 879). The normality assumption of the study data was also tested, and it was determined because of the analysis that it showed a normal distribution. According to the results of the study, while the level of connectedness to nature of the participants differed significantly according to their age, education level and the frequency of doing physical activity, it was observed that there was no significant difference across the scale according to gender and occupation groups. The frequency of physical activity is of great importance in terms of connectedness to nature and protection of nature.

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