The benefits of physical activity are well-documented. However, in the face of global urbanization, public participation in physical activity appears to be declining, making insufficient physical activity a worldwide concern. Researchers have been striving over the past decade to identify effective ways to encourage greater participation. Creating more comfortable and suitable outdoor environments is crucial, such as providing urban green spaces. Nonetheless, the potential of many urban spaces to promote physical activity remains largely unexplored. Additionally, temporal factors are often overlooked. For instance, is engaging in physical activity in green spaces at night a common choice among the public? Does such behaviour contribute positively to health? Given the rapid changes in lifestyle habits, an increasing number of individuals are allocating their physical activity time to the evening. Therefore, exploring the complex interplay of space and time in relation to physical activity can enrich both public and academic understanding.
This research aims to investigate the factors influencing residents' choices of time and location for physical activity, as well as the interactive effects of environment and timing on health benefits. Specifically, we seek to uncover how various dimensions—such as demographic, environmental, and social factors—influence people's preferences. Additionally, we aim to explore how the combination of environmental settings and timing affects health outcomes.
To advance our understanding of these dynamics, we invite contributions that explore a range of related themes:
● Residents' preferences and influencing factors concerning the timing and location of physical activity.
● The impact of time and/or location on physical activity.
● Testing the health effects of physical activity from the perspective of active time allocation.
● The potential of urban spaces to promote physical activity and health.
● The advantages and disadvantages of nighttime physical activity.
● Strategies to enhance the experience and safety of nighttime physical activity or exercise behavior.
Keywords: physical activity, exercise, nighttime, city, health
Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
