Spatial Morphology and Thermal–Response Relationships During Winter Brisk Walking on a Coastal Promenade: A Field Study in Qingdao

Coastal promenades support outdoor physical activity, yet how spatial morphology relates to thermal–response patterns during winter exercise remains unclear. This study examined physiological, cognitive, and psychological responses during standardized brisk walking at three coastal promenade locations in Qingdao, China. Sixteen healthy young adults completed the same protocol at all locations. Air temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, spatial characteristics, and multidimensional human responses were analyzed using linear mixed models. Linear mixed models identified an enclosure ratio × air temperature interaction for mind–body connection: the temperature–mind–body connection relationship was more negative in the semi-enclosed condition than in the open conditions, indicating greater temperature sensitivity in the semi-enclosed setting. Other spatial–thermal and thermal/individual associations across physiological, cognitive, affective, exercise-related, and thermal-perceptual outcomes were exploratory or response-specific. Together, these findings characterize winter coastal walking as a multidimensional human–environment experience. They also motivate future design tests that combine spatial diversity with opportunities for users to choose between exposure and localized protection.