Abstract
Aims: The present study aimed to examine and compare the socioecological correlates of park-based physical activity (PA) among Hong Kong and Leipzig older adults in terms of types of activity areas, perceived park environment, psychosocial factors, and the interactions between the perceived park environmental and psychosocial factors. Methods: Based on the SOPARC, systematic observations were conducted in six randomly selected urban parks in each city. A total of 317 Hong Kong (Mage = 69.96; SD = 6.81) and 311 Leipzig (Mage = 72.06; SD = 6.78) older adults from these six parks completed an interviewer-delivered survey measuring their perceived park environment, psychosocial variables, and park-based PA. Results: In both cities, the types of activity areas were positively associated with the number of older adults observed being active in parks. Psychosocial factors, especially self-efficacy and perceived barriers, had larger associations with park-based PA compared with the perceived park environment. The interaction between perceived park features and self-efficacy in the association with park-based PA was found in Leipzig, but not in Hong Kong. Conclusion: Findings of the current study contribute to the cross-cultural understanding of the socioecological correlates of park-based PA among older adults.
Highlights
Providing inexpensive and active resources in natural settings is a promising strategy to facilitate and increase physical activity (PA) [1]
A total of N = 3457 and N = 2665 older adults was observed in Hong Kong and Leipzig parks, respectively
We found differences in gender (χ2 (1) = 16.46, p < 0.001) and activity levels (χ2 (1) = 402.72, p < 0.001) between older adults in Hong Kong and Leipzig parks
Summary
Providing inexpensive and active resources in natural settings is a promising strategy to facilitate and increase physical activity (PA) [1]. Urban parks have been identified as important spaces for people to be active in daily life [2]. An urban park is “an open area that is built by the local government for active and passive recreational uses” [3]. PA in parks is related to several beneficial health outcomes in terms of cardiovascular disease, blood glucose, and mental health in comparison to the same amount of PA in non-green spaces [4,5], older adults do not use parks well for PA. Findings have revealed more than half of older adults never visit parks in daily life [6,7]. It is important to understand the park-based PA of older adults and the possible determinants to increase health-related benefits
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
