AUTHOR=Zhai Yujia , Li Dongying , Wang De , Shi Cheng 

TITLE=Seniors' Physical Activity in Neighborhood Parks and Park Design Characteristics

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Public Health

VOLUME=Volume 8 - 2020

YEAR=2020

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/public-health/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2020.00322

DOI=10.3389/fpubh.2020.00322

ISSN=2296-2565

ABSTRACT=Physical activity brings multiple health benefits to seniors. Neighborhood parks provide seniors with accessible spaces and opportunities to engage in physical activity. This study investigated the associations between neighborhood park design characteristics and seniors’ total walking step and energy expenditure during the park visit. Seniors’ total step was measured by pedometer, and energy expenditure was calculated based on self-reported activities in the park. The study was conducted in 15 neighborhood parks with an area less than 10 ha, and included 234 senior participants. ANOVA analyses indicated that seniors in parks with larger surface area, longer trail, larger natural area and outdoor fitness equipment walked more steps. While seniors in parks without water expended more energy. For instance, seniors in parks with surface areas less than 3 ha walked 507 fewer steps than seniors in parks with areas between 3 and 5 ha, and 691 fewer steps than those in parks larger than 5 ha. When including seniors’ demographic attributes, multiple regression analyses suggested that total step is negatively associated with age, but positively associated with total natural area in the park and the presence of outdoor fitness equipment. Seniors energy expenditure is positively associated with BMI and the presence of outdoor fitness equipment. Energy expenditure is also related to income. These findings provide direct implications for neighborhood park design and management. Planners and designers can include more natural areas over paved areas, create longer trails and place more outdoor fitness equipment in parks to encourage seniors’ walking and energy expenditure.