Observed physical activity among Latinx and White men and women on a new urban trail.

Abstract

Despite efforts to increase physical activity through new green space infrastructure such as trails, disparities in physical activity may persist. The current study compared observed vigorous physical activity (VPA) engagement among White and Latinx men and women on a new urban trail, and whether engagement varied over time. We used a modified System for Observing Play and Recreation in Communities (SOPARC) methodology to determine observed race/ethnicity, gender, and physical activity level of trail users (n=15,109). Logistic regression analyses revealed the odds of engaging in VPA were lower for Latina women than all other population subgroups (vs. White men: OR 0.19, CI 0.17-0.22; vs. White women: OR 0.48, CI 0.42-0.54, vs. Latino men: OR 0.23, CI 0.19-0.26). VPA engagement by White and Latina women increased across the study years (OR 1.31, CI 1.17-1.46; OR 1.36, CI 1.08-1.71, respectively) but did not differ significantly by year for White and Latino men. Future efforts to address racial/ethnic-gender disparities in VPA should take an intersectional approach to ensure that the needs of the most vulnerable population subgroups are properly accounted for.