Associations between moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and neighbourhood recreational facilities: the features of the facilities matter.

Ka Lee,Duncan Macfarlane,Paul Lee

doi:10.3390/ijerph111212594

Abstract

Objectives: To examine the associations between objectively-assessed moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and perceived/objective measures of neighbourhood recreational facilities categorized into indoor or outdoor, public, residential or commercial facilities. The associations between facility perceptions and objectively-assessed numbers of recreational facilities were also examined. Method: A questionnaire was used on 480 adults to measure local facility perceptions, with 154 participants wearing ActiGraph accelerometers for ≥4 days. The objectively-assessed number of neighbourhood recreational facilities were examined using direct observations and Geographical Information System data. Results: Both positive and negative associations were found between MVPA and perceived/objective measures of recreational facilities. Some associations depended on whether the recreational facilities were indoor or outdoor, public or residential facilities. The objectively-assessed number of most public recreational facilities was associated with the corresponding facility perceptions, but the size of effect was generally lower than for residential recreational facilities. Conclusions: The objectively-assessed number of residential outdoor table tennis courts and public indoor swimming pools, the objectively-assessed presence of tennis courts and swimming pools, and the perceived presence of bike lanes and swimming pools were positive determinants of MVPA. It is suggested to categorize the recreational facilities into smaller divisions in order to identify unique associations with MVPA.

Highlights

Despite the well-reported health benefits of engaging in regular physical activity (PA) [1,2], sedentary lifestyles are still widely prevalent throughout the world [3,4]
Examined the associations between facility perceptions and objectively-assessed number of recreational facilities at two levels of proximity, but the examined facilities only included public and commercial recreational facilities. It remains uncertain how Hong Kong’s somewhat unique availability of public, residential and commercial recreational facilities across a range of neighbourhoods are associated with perceived facilities by the residents. Filling in these clear research gaps, this study aimed to examine the associations between objectively-assessed moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and both the perceived and the objective availability of neighbourhood recreational facilities categorized into six different combinations of usage locations: public indoor/outdoor; residential indoor/outdoor; commercial indoor/outdoor
The findings support that the objectively-assessed number of residential outdoor table tennis courts and public indoor swimming pools, and the objectively-assessed presence of tennis courts, swimming pools and pavilions were important determinants of MVPA, implying that these types and features of recreational facilities available inside the neighbourhoods may increase the likelihood of neighbourhood residents increasing their levels of MVPA

Summary

Introduction

Despite the well-reported health benefits of engaging in regular physical activity (PA) [1,2], sedentary lifestyles are still widely prevalent throughout the world [3,4]. Activity enhancing aspects of the built environment have the potential to influence large proportions of the population over prolonged periods [6]. These aspects of the build environment have been extensively examined [7,8,9] in an attempt to help promote PA which is known to be be effective in combating conditions such as obesity [10] and other chronic diseases [11]. The study of the how the built environment can influence PA often includes many neighbourhood characteristics such as street connectivity [12], residential density, proximity to commercial destinations, aesthetics, land use diversity [13] and in particular, the availability of recreational facilities [14] which are common destinations for leisure time physical activity [15]. The role of recreational facilities in promoting PA requires further investigation

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion