I used the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (2004), for participants' physical activity and sedentary behaviour levels.

From this we worked out their METS per week to categorise each participant.

Saliva samples were used for the analysis of Cortisol, the physiological biomarker of stress

Saliva samples were taken from each participant at the start and end of each lab session.

The first sample was labelled with their participant number and the second with their participant number and an asterisk.

They were asked to fill a 2ml Polypropylene Protein LoBind Microcentrifuge tube to the 0.5ml mark with saliva using the passive drool method.

Timings of each session were between 12 pm and 2 pm.

After saliva samples were taken during the testing, they were stored on crushed ice, ready for transfer to the Cryogenic stores in the Dalton Building

I was allocated a space in the Halley Freezer and was stored at -80 degrees

These were stored for a minimum of 2-3 weeks before analysis

This PDF file is the protocol I followed in the laboratory for analysis of my saliva samples

The 'Urban Green Space and Sustainability Survey' was utilised to gain information on participants' reasons for use, frequency, duration and distances to green spaces.

This information allowed us to code results and formulate their green scores based on their answers.

Participants filled out the WHO-5 questionnaire to provide information on their mental health levels

Their scores were out of 25 and multiplied by 4 to gain a percentage, 100% being the best possible and 0% being the worst.

After all protocol was followed the 96 well plate with samples was placed in the Glomax explorer for reading and further analysis in SPSS.

All participants were asked to fill out a pre-testing questionnaire provided by Manchester Metropolitan University to ensure they were healthy for participation

IBM SPSS Statistics v29.0.2.0 was used for the analysis of my data

I carried out descriptive analyses, Shapiro-Wilk test for normality, Pearson's and Spearman's Correlations and Partial correlations.

All images of data below were processed through SPSS and were remade into tables in Microsoft Word.

This data provided key information on Mental Health and Cortisol levels associated with green space variables when controlling for Physical activity and sedentary behaviour variables

Informed consent form was sent to all participants before their testing sessions and stored in a password-protected document.

I gained feedback on my participant information sheet on 03/02/2025 by Prof. Gladys Pearson

Body Height and Weight were measured at the start of each participant's session.

Height was measured using a stadiometer to the nearest 0.1 cm, with participants standing barefoot, upright, and head aligned in the Frankfort horizontal plane.

Weight was measured using calibrated digital scales to the nearest 0.01kg with participants wearing light clothing and no shoes.