title: Impact of an outdoor gym on park users' physical activity: A natural experiment.
abstract: This study assessed the impact of an outdoor gym installation on park users' physical activity levels and examined the characteristics of outdoor gym users. A before-after time series design was employed, consisting of nine data collection periods: three each at baseline, post outdoor gym installation, and at 12-month follow-up. Repeated observational surveys and park intercept interviews were conducted. There was a small but significant increase in senior park users engaging in moderate to vigorous physical activity at follow-up (1.6 to 5.1%; p<0.001). There were significant increases from baseline to follow-up in the outdoor gym area for: MVPA (6 to 40%; p<0.001); and seniors' use (1.4 to 6%; p<0.001). The study contributes to the limited evidence on the impact of outdoor gyms on physical activity outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Health Promotion Service, South Eastern Sydney Local Health District, Australia.
authors.forename: Leonie
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Cranney
authors.affiliation: Prevention Research Collaboration, The University of Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: Philayrath
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Phongsavan
authors.affiliation: Former Biostatistics Training Program, NSW Ministry of Health, Australia.
authors.forename: Maina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kariuki
authors.affiliation: Health Promotion Service, South Eastern Sydney Local Health District, Australia.
authors.forename: Vicki
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Stride
authors.affiliation: Health Promotion Service, South Eastern Sydney Local Health District, Australia.
authors.forename: Ashleigh
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Scott
authors.affiliation: Health Promotion Service, South Eastern Sydney Local Health District, Australia.
authors.forename: Myna
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hua
authors.affiliation: Prevention Research Collaboration, The University of Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: Adrian
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bauman
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004779:Environment Design; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009517:New South Wales; D011633:Public Facilities; D011998:Recreation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Environmental intervention; Natural experiment; Outdoor gym; Park improvement; Physical activity