A descriptive examination of the most frequently used activity settings in 25 community parks using direct observation.
BACKGROUND
The purpose was to examine 9 adult activity settings in 25 community parks to determine the most and least frequently used by gender, physical-activity (PA) intensity, and ethnicity.


METHODS
All activity settings were identified, measured, and cataloged with GIS measures using the SOPARC direct observation instrument. Each setting was assessed 4 times a day for 7 consecutive days.


RESULTS
Significantly more male adults were observed at the 25 parks (1598 versus 946; 63% versus 37%). Nine hundred fifty-eight (60%) male adults and 771 (81.1%) female adults used the paved trails. The second most heavily used activity setting for male adults was the softball and baseball fields (n = 239, 14.9%), and female adults chose to use the swimming pools (n = 45, 4.5%). Whites participated in considerably more vigorous PA than minorities.


CONCLUSIONS
Paved trails were only in 5 of the 25 parks but were the most frequently used activity setting.
Reed
Julian A
JA
Dept of Health and Exercise Science, Furman University, Greenville, SC 29613, USA.
Arant
Cheryl-Anne
CA
Wells
Princess
P
Stevens
Katherine
K
Hagen
Sandra
S
Harring
Holly
H
D005006:Ethnicity; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007899:Leisure Activities; D008297:Male; D011633:Public Facilities; D012737:Sex Factors