Perceptions of Important Characteristics of Physical Activity Facilities: Implications for Engagement in Walking, Moderate and Vigorous Physical Activity.

Katie M Heinrich,Walker S C Poston,Natinee Jitnarin,Laverne A Berkel,Joseph Hughey,Christopher K Haddock

doi:10.3389/fpubh.2017.00319

Abstract

Although few United States adults meet physical activity recommendations, those that do are more likely to access to physical activity facilities. Additionally, vigorous exercisers may be more likely to utilize a nearby physical activity facility, while light-to-moderate exercisers are less likely to do so. However, it is unclear what characteristics of those facilities are most important as well as how those characteristics are related to activity intensity. This study examined relationships between self-reported leisure-time physical activities and the use of and perceived characteristics of physical activity facilities. Data were from a cross-sectional study in a major metropolitan area. Participants (N = 582; ages 18-74, mean age = 45 ± 14.7 years) were more likely to be female (69.9%), Caucasian (65.6%), married (51.7%), and have some college education (72.8%). Household surveys queried leisure-time physical activity, regular physical activity facility use, and importance ratings for key facility characteristics. Leisure-time physical activity recommendations were met by 41.0% of participants and 50.9% regularly used a physical activity facility. Regular facility use was positively associated with meeting walking (p = 0.036), moderate (p < 0.001), and vigorous (p < 0.001) recommendations. Vigorous exercisers were more likely to use a gym/fitness center (p = 0.006) and to place higher importance on facility quality (p = 0.022), variety of physical activity options offered (p = 0.003), and availability of special equipment and resources (p = 0.01). The facility characteristics of low or free cost (p = 0.02) and offering childcare (p = 0.028) were barriers for walking, and being where friends and family like to go were barriers for moderate leisure-time physical activity (p = 0.013). Findings offer insights for structuring interventions using the social ecological model as well as for improving existing physical activity facilities.

Highlights

IntroductionThe majority of the United States (US) population does not engage in the minimum recommended weekly levels of 150 min of moderate aerobic physical activity (including walking) and/or 75 min of vigorous aerobic physical activity in at least 10-min bouts [1]
Despite clear health benefits, the majority of the United States (US) population does not engage in the minimum recommended weekly levels of 150 min of moderate aerobic physical activity and/or 75 min of vigorous aerobic physical activity in at least 10-min bouts [1]
This study provides necessary contemporary data about the type of exercise performed in relation to the type of physical activity resource utilized

Summary

Introduction

The majority of the United States (US) population does not engage in the minimum recommended weekly levels of 150 min of moderate aerobic physical activity (including walking) and/or 75 min of vigorous aerobic physical activity in at least 10-min bouts [1]. In the Kansas City metropolitan area (the focus of the current study), just over 20% of adults report no LTPA [5], with only 48.6% of adults reporting meeting moderate or vigorous aerobic physical activity recommendations [6]. Individual and environmental barriers influence LTPA behaviors and include weather, lack of access to physical activity facilities, financial cost, and feeling tired [7]. Specific barriers for walking include lack of time, family commitments, feeling tired, pollution, and costs [7]. Few United States adults meet physical activity recommendations, those that do are more likely to access to physical activity facilities. Vigorous exercisers may be more likely to utilize a nearby physical activity facility, while light-to-moderate exercisers are less likely to do so. Purpose: This study examined relationships between self-reported leisure-time physical activities and the use of and perceived characteristics of physical activity facilities

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion