title: PARCS: A Safety Net Community-Based Fitness Center for Low-Income Adults.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Physical activity (PA) and fitness are critical to maintaining health and avoiding chronic disease. Limited access to fitness facilities in low-income urban areas has been identified as a contributor to low PA participation and poor fitness.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This research describes community-based fitness centers established for adults living in low-income, urban communities and characterizes a sample of its members.
  
  
  METHODS
  The community identified a need for physical fitness opportunities to improve residents' health. Three community high schools were host sites. Resources were combined to renovate and staff facilities, acquire equipment, and refer patients to exercise. The study sample included 170 members older than age 18 who completed demographic, exercise self-efficacy, and quality of life surveys and a fitness evaluation. Neighborhood-level U.S. Census data were obtained for comparison.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The community-based fitness centers resulted from university, public school, and hospital partnerships offering safe, accessible, and affordable exercise opportunities. The study sample mean body mass index was 35 + 7.6 kg/m(2) (class II obesity), mean age was 50 ± 12.5 years, 66% were Black, 72% were female, 66% completed some college or greater, and 71% had an annual household income of less than $25,000 and supported 2.2 dependents. Participants had moderate confidence for exercise participation and low fitness levels. When compared with census data, participants were representative of their communities.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This observational study reveals a need for affordable fitness centers for low-income adults. We demonstrate a model where communities and organizations strategically leverage resources to address disparities in physical fitness and health.
authors.forename: NiCole
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Keith
authors.forename: Deming
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mi
authors.forename: Kisha
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Alexander
authors.forename: Stephanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kaiser
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: de Groot
mesh_terms: D055812:Community-Based Participatory Research; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D020446:Fitness Centers; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D007196:Indiana; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011204:Poverty Areas; D016730:Program Development; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014505:Urban Population