Physical Activity, Recreation Resources and Fitness

Several recent studies have examined the correlation between community surroundings (recreational resources, public parks, etc.) and how much physical activity residents participate in; all found that physical activity was highest in communities with surroundings conducive to exercise.

The four studies were conducted in Geneva, Switzerland; Seattle, Washington; Santa Monica, California; and Ann Arbor, Michigan.

In the Swiss study, researchers from Geneva University Hospital examined energy balance at the population level by analyzing physical activity levels. The researchers estimated the amount of physical activity required for individuals to expend an additional 418.4 kJ (100 kcal) per day with the goal of achieving energy balance at the population level.

Data on total daily energy expenditures was derived from a random sample of adults residing in Geneva, Switzerland, who completed a self-administered physical activity frequency questionnaire. The data was used to simulate the effects of typical physical activity pyramid recommendations on average population energy expenditures for various activity intensities and rates of population compliance with pyramid recommendations.

The study found that if an average 418.4 kJ (100 kcal) per day increase in energy expenditures is to be achieved, assuming 100 percent compliance with physical activity pyramid recommendations, the bottom tier of the pyramid must correspond to everyday activities performed at moderate to high intensity levels (e.g., moderate walking or biking). Expected population gains in energy expenditures would be only 167.4 to 251.0 kJ (40 to 60 kcal) per day at a 50 percent compliance rate.

The researchers concluded that achieving population-level energy balance through increasing energy expenditures with physical activity increases alone would require profound structural and environmental changes promoting more active lifestyles. 

In a related study, scientists from the University of Washington in Seattle examined whether older persons who live in areas that are conducive to walking are more active and/or less obese than those living in areas where walking is more difficult.

Data from the Adult Changes in Thought cohort study for a cross-sectional analysis of 936 participants aged 65 to 97 years was used. The Walkable and Bikable Communities Project previously formulated a walkability score to predict the probability of walking in King County, Washington.

Data from the cohort study was linked to the walkability score at the participant level using a geographic information system. Analyses tested for associations between walkability score and activity and body mass index. The study found that higher walkability scores were associated with significantly more walking for exercise across buffers (circular zones around each respondent's home) of varying radii. A trend toward lower body mass index in men living in more walkable neighborhoods did not reach statistical significance.

Researchers concluded that neighborhood characteristics are associated with the frequency of walking for physical activity in older people. Whether frequency of walking reduces obesity prevalence is less clear.

Scientists from the RAND Corporation in California more specifically examined the relationship of public parks and amount of physical activity in the local population. The study explained that parks provide places for people to experience nature, engage in physical activity and relax. Researchers examined how residents in low-income, minority communities use public, urban neighborhood parks and how parks contribute to physical activity.

In eight public parks, researchers conducted direct observation to document the number, gender, race/ethnicity, age group and activity level of park users four times per day, seven days per week. Researchers also interviewed 713 park users and 605 area residents living within two miles of each park.

The study found that on average, over 2,000 individuals were counted in each park, and about two thirds were inactive when observed. More males than females used the parks and males were twice as likely to be vigorously active. Interviewees identified the park as the most common place they exercised. Both park use and exercise levels of individuals were predicted by the proximity of their residence to the park.

The study concluded that public parks are critical resources for physical activity in minority communities. Researchers suggested that because residential proximity is strongly associated with physical activity and park use, the number and location of parks are currently insufficient to serve local populations well.

And finally, a study at the University of Michigan looked at the relationship between certain environmental factors and physical activity using data from a large cohort of adults aged 45 to 84 years old.

Researchers investigated whether availability of recreational resources is related to physical activity levels. Data from a multiethnic sample of 2,723 adult residents of New York City, New York; Baltimore, Maryland; and Forsyth County, North Carolina, were linked to data on locations of recreational resources. Scientists measured the availability (density) of resources within 0.5 (0.8 km), one, two and five miles of each participant's residence and used binomial regression to investigate associations of density with physical activity.

After adjustment for potential confounders, the study found that individuals in the tertile (top third) of participants residing in areas with the highest density of resources were more likely to report physical activity during a typical week than were individuals in the lowest tertile.

Associations between availability of recreational resources and physical activity levels were not present for the smallest area assessed (0.5 miles), but were present for areas ranging from one to five miles. These associations were slightly stronger among minority and low-income residents.

The researchers concluded that availability of resources may be one of several environmental factors that influence individuals' physical activity behaviors.

Exercise is any physical activity that helps to promote overall health. Most movement of the body is considered beneficial, as long as it is done in moderation and at the skill level of the person. Any form of physical activity is considered exercise, as long as the heart pumps faster and breathing rate increases to perform the activity.

There are many ways for people to exercise including, gardening, walking, sports activities and dancing. Patients beginning an exercise program should choose activities that fit their levels of strength and endurance. Exercise that causes extreme pain or discomfort is considered by many experts as unhealthy, and may even cause permanent damage to the body.

Exercising on a regular basis may decrease the risk of developing many illnesses, such as heart disease. According to the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 50 percent of Americans do not exercise enough to achieve health benefits. Physical fitness and dietary intake are good indicators of a person's overall likelihood of developing serious and chronic health problems.

To maintain a healthy weight, an individual's intake of energy should be about equal to the energies used. This activity calculator will give an individual an idea as to how many calories to burn to maintain a healthy weight. Note that good nutrition is also a must to be healthy. 

For more information on exercise and for an activity calculator, please visit Natural Standard's Health & Wellness database.

Comments

[Nick]

It seems like this study should have been figured out thru common sense. Of course people are going to exercise more if there is a place set aside for itjust like more people will eat out if there are restaraunts around. If there were no playgrounds gyms or YMCAs then there would probably be less people playing and orginized game because they would be unwilling to go out and orginize a team or group by themselves. "If you build it, they will come"

[Jen]

According to a recent study in the American Journal of Physiology-Cell, just 15 minutes of exercise a day can help prevent and treat type 2 diabetes. Since 80 to 90 percent of all glucose goes into muscle after food is eaten, it is possible that daily physical activity will result in increased insulin sensitivity, the researchers suggested.

[Sam Wesley]

Studies like these may seem quite obvious. However, at a time when almost two-thirds of the U. S. population is considered overweight, it's important that researchers find compelling evidence as to why obesity statistics are rising at such an alarming rate.

[Cultural relativism]

I’ve heard that the people who live in New York and the surrounding areas are on average more physically fit than other city dwellers. The surroundings may not be pretty, but for most people, walking, if even to the subway or the bodega, is a daily routine. I wonder why New York didn’t score as one of the most walkable cities. New Yorkers probably use public transportation or their feet rather than a car for daily activities and errands than folks who live in more spread out or scenic cities.

[W. Thomas]

I agree with S. Wesley. Although it is no surprise that people in areas where there is greater access to recreational facilities engage in more physical activity, it is news worth heralding here in the U.S., land of the overweight couch potato.

It is disheartening to learn that gym classes, recess, sports and recreational activities are being cut in schools, and funding for parks and recreational facilities are being slashed in this towns all over the country while childhood obesity and its requisite health problems rise at an alarming rate. Let's hope that studies like this, which provide hard evidence that recreational and physical programs are useful and beneficial, help change this trend in the future.

[Dagan B]

I can be the first to testify that the park nearest my house where I grew up is no longer the "place to be" among the neighborhood children. It used to have a public pool that was open in the summer along with various jungle gym stations. On my latest trip home I noticed that the pool has been filled in, and the tennis courts have been replaced by a skate park. Although I do see children using the skate park, it is not nearly in the numbers that I remember people using the courts. What happened to all the people using these outdoor facilities? I don't think that they've all installed personal tennis courts at home.

I also agree that researchers should be looking into the reasons the obesity rate in our country is rising at such an alarming rate.

[Rachelle Provost]

Awesome research here! And yeah, it may seem like common sense, but we need the facts so that the programs don't get cut. Also, I think health insurance companies and employers would benefit from the results of these studies. My aunt is a nutritionist and recently attended an obesity conference. It seems that it is in the best interest of insurance companies and employers to encourage workers to lose weight, go to the gym and eat better. In cities where there may be a lack of parks/recreational areas, insurance companies and employers should pick up the cost of gym memberships because a healthy employee is a happy employee, and it's much cheaper to pay for a monthly gym membership/support the establishment of a local park then to pay for stomach stapling or gastric bypass surgeries!

[Lee]

Wow, I would love to have a personal tennis court in my yard! I live in Boston, and even though there is a park across the street, I do not use it. I find that every time I try to go out and play tennis or go kick a soccer ball, there are 100s of people using the facilities that I want to use. I know organized sports leagues have priorities on a field, but I do not like one sport enough to pay a fee to join a league and all that time. I like to play sports after work and just exercise when I want to.

I know when I go to my other house in CT, I exercise so much more. I do yard work, which breaks my back, but I get a good workout doing that. I have bike paths that are not like the Charles River trail, where you are constantly swerving to avoid crashing into a herd of people. I think city life, even though there is public transportation, and people walk everywhere, doesn't provide enough space for me to enjoy my personal activities that are exercise related. Therefore, I think city life leads to obesity.

[Kalyn]

I agree with Dragan. Insurance companies and employers should start reimbursing or partially reimbursing employees for gym memberships. I think people will take this advantage to hit the gym more often. I know some insurance already offer this benefit.

[MV]

The research helps us to see that getting people to exercise is not a totally impossible task. This information could be used to make neighborhoods and cities more usable for exercise. If we understand people’s needs better and give them opportunities to use different options to exercise, then they will probably take notice.

[Emily P.]

I think the weather is also an issue here. In areas where the weather is mild for most of the year, such as California, it’s much more likely for people to go outside and engage in outdoor physical activities. Having a park in Boston in the wintertime is nearly useless. Who wants to go outside when it’s nearly freezing out and there’s two feet of snow on the ground? I’ll agree that a person’s environment affects their level of physical activity, but I think it has more to do with their natural environment. Also, on cold and overcast days, most people feel less energized and motivated. Physical activity is also dependent on people’s interests. I prefer the city life and enjoy just walking around in an urban area, while my boyfriend prefers a more rural atmosphere with wooded areas and hiking trails. This study is a good idea, but there are a lot of factors that were not considered.

[Paul]

As Rachelle mentioned, even though this may seem like common sense when it comes to budgeting, things don't always work out that way. This helps firm up reasons to keep parks and public areas alive when obesity is reaching record numbers. The trends are truly frightening, and it's putting immense pressure on the healthcare system. Diabetes is the number one reason for kidney transplants and retinal transplants. Anything we can do to help people exercise is important. Besides, even if I don't have time to play when I walk by a park, it brightens my day to see kids playing and having fun. In cities where it's hard to find anything green besides paint, parks offer a few trees, which keeps my spirit up.