Is park visitation associated with leisure-time and transportation physical activity?
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to examine whether frequency of park visitation was associated with time spent in various domains of physical activity among adults living in a disadvantaged neighbourhood of Victoria, Australia.


METHODS
In 2009, participants (n=319) self-reported park visitation and physical activity including: walking and cycling for transport, leisure-time walking, leisure-time moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity, and total physical activity.


RESULTS
The mean number of park visits per week was 3.3 (SD=3.8). Park visitation was associated with greater odds of engaging in high (as compared to low) amounts of transportation physical activity, leisure-time walking, leisure-time moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity (MVPA) and total physical activity. Each additional park visit per week was associated with 23% greater odds of being in the high category for transportation physical activity, 26% greater odds of engaging in high amounts of leisure-time walking, 11% greater odds of engaging in MVPA, and 40% greater odds of high total physical activity.


CONCLUSIONS
Acknowledging the cross-sectional study design, the findings suggest that park visitation may be an important predictor and/or destination for transportation and leisure-time walking and physical activity. Findings highlight the potentially important role of parks for physical activity.
Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition Research, Deakin University, Burwood, Victoria, Australia. Electronic address: jenny.veitch@deakin.edu.au.
Jenny
J
Veitch
Kylie
K
Ball
David
D
Crawford
Gavin
G
Abbott
Jo
J
Salmon
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001642:Bicycling; D002958:City Planning; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004779:Environment Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007899:Leisure Activities; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity; D016017:Odds Ratio; D012931:Social Environment; D014186:Transportation; D014739:Victoria; D035862:Vulnerable Populations; D016138:Walking
Adults; Disadvantaged neighbourhoods; Leisure-time physical activity; Park visitation; Transportation