Assessing physical activity in public parks in Brazil using systematic observation.
OBJECTIVE
We assessed park use in Recife, Brazil, and differences in physical activity and occupation rates in public parks with and without the Academia da Cidade Program (ACP), which provides cost-free, supervised physical activity classes.


METHODS
We used the System for Observing Play and Recreation in Communities (SOPARC) in 128 targeted areas in 10 park sites (5 ACP sites, 5 non-ACP sites) to obtain data on the number of users and their physical activity levels and estimated age. Each area was assessed 4 times a day for 11 days over a 4-week period.


RESULTS
A total of 32 974 people were observed during 5589 observation visits to target areas. People using ACP parks were more likely to be seen engaging in moderate-to-vigorous (64% vs 49%) and vigorous (25% vs 10%) physical activity. Relatively more participants in ACP sites than in non-ACP sites were females (45% vs 42% of park users) and older adults (14.7% vs 5.7% of park users).


CONCLUSIONS
On the basis of systematic observation, ACP appears to be a useful strategy in promoting park use and physical activity among the population in Recife.
Parra
Diana C
DC
Washington University in St. Louis, MO, USA. dianacpp79@yahoo.com
McKenzie
Thomas L
TL
Ribeiro
Isabela C
IC
Ferreira Hino
Adriano A
AA
Dreisinger
Mariah
M
Coniglio
Kathryn
K
Munk
Marcia
M
Brownson
Ross C
RC
Pratt
Michael
M
Hoehner
Christine M
CM
Simoes
Eduardo J
EJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001938:Brazil; D002648:Child; D003625:Data Collection / Q000379:methods*; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006302:Health Services Research; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019370:Observation / Q000379:methods*; D015588:Observer Variation; D015397:Program Evaluation / Q000379:methods; D011633:Public Facilities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011998:Recreation; D012107:Research Design; D012108:Research Personnel / Q000193:education; D013997:Time Factors; D014504:Urban Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data