Installation of Bicycle Lanes and Increased Ridership in an Urban, Mixed-Income Setting in New Orleans, Louisiana

2011 ◽  
Vol 8 (s1) ◽  
pp. S98-S102 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathryn M. Parker ◽  
Jeanette Gustat ◽  
Janet C. Rice
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
New Orleans ◽  
Adult Female ◽  
Physical Environment ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Physically Active ◽  
Adults And Children ◽  
Correct Direction ◽  
Trained Observers

Background:People are more physically active in neighborhoods that are well designed for walking and bicycling. Building infrastructure for safer cycling is one way to promote physical activity. On-road bike lanes are one type of infrastructure hypothesized to positively impact levels of cycling. The first on-street bike lane was painted in New Orleans, LA during the spring of 2008.Methods:In November of 2007 and again in November 2008, trained observers conducted manual counts of cyclists riding on St. Claude Avenue in New Orleans, LA. The data collected included the number of men, women, adults, and children riding a bicycle with traffic, against traffic, and on sidewalks.Results:Data showed a 57% increase in the average number of riders per day (P < .001). There was a 133% increase among adult female riders (P < .001) and a 44% increase among adult male riders (P < .001). The percentage of cyclists riding in the correct direction, with the flow of traffic, increased from 73% to 82% (P < .001).Conclusions:Bike lanes can have a positive impact in creating a healthy physical environment. Future research should include other streets for comparison purposes and surveys to determine whether riders are substituting biking for nonactive forms of transportation.

scholarly journals Profiles of Loneliness and Social Isolation in Physically Active and Inactive Older Adults in Rural England

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (8) ◽  
pp. 3971
Author(s):  
Jolanthe de Koning ◽  
Suzanne H. Richards ◽  
Grace E. R. Wood ◽  
Afroditi Stathi
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Physical Environment ◽  
Vigorous Physical Activity ◽  
Social Contact ◽  
Physical Activity Behaviour ◽  
Rural Setting ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Physically Active

Objective: Loneliness and social isolation are associated with higher risk of morbidity and mortality and physical inactivity in older age. This study explored the socioecological context in which both physically active and inactive older adults experience loneliness and/or social isolation in a UK rural setting. Design: A mixed-methods design employed semi structured interviews and accelerometer-measured moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). Interviews explored the personal, social and environmental factors influencing engagement with physical activities, guided by an adapted-socioecological model of physical activity behaviour. Findings: Twenty-four older adults (MeanAge = 73 (5.8 SD); 12 women) were interviewed. Transcripts were thematically analysed and seven profiles of physical activity, social isolation and loneliness were identified. The high-MVPA group had established PA habits, reported several sources of social contact and evaluated their physical environment as activity friendly. The low MVPA group had diverse experiences of past engagement in social activities. Similar to the high MVPA, they reported a range of sources of social contact but they did not perceive the physical environment as activity friendly. Conclusions: Loneliness and/or social isolation was reported by both physically active and inactive older adults. There is wide diversity and complexity in types and intensity of PA, loneliness and social isolation profiles and personal, social and environmental contexts.

Physical Activity in Preschool Children With the Transition to Outdoors

2013 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 170-175 ◽  
Author(s):  
Russell R. Pate ◽  
Marsha Dowda ◽  
William H. Brown ◽  
Jonathan Mitchell ◽  
Cheryl Addy
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Time Course ◽  
Outdoor Play ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Physically Active ◽  
Minute Period ◽  
Physical Activity Levels ◽  
Trained Observers ◽  
Children’S Physical Activity ◽  
Observation Period

Background:It is known that children are more physically active outdoors than indoors. However, few previous studies have observed the time course for physical activity as young children transition from indoor to outdoor activities.Methods:Participants were 3- to 5-year-old children enrolled in the Children’s Activity and Movement in Preschool Study (CHAMPS). Trained observers used the Observational System for Recording Physical Activity in Children-Preschool Version (OSRAC-P) to record children’s physical activity levels over 20 minutes in outdoor settings. The 20-minute outdoor observational period began immediately following the transition from indoors to outdoors.Results:Children’s activity levels were moderately high at the time of transition and declined over the 20-minute observation period. Different patterns, however, were observed for boys and girls. Overall, boys were more active than girls. Boys’ activity levels declined in a linear fashion over the 20-minute period, while girls’ activity levels increased slightly, decreased, and then increased slightly again.Conclusions:These data indicate that physical activity levels decline with increased duration of outdoor play. The frequency and duration of outdoor play should be investigated for the purpose of optimizing physical activity levels.

A Meta-Study of Qualitative Research on Social Support Related to Physical Activity Among Older Adults

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-15
Author(s):  
L. Jayne Beselt ◽  
Michelle C. Patterson ◽  
Meghan H. McDonough ◽  
Jennifer Hewson ◽  
Scott MacKay
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Social Support ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Qualitative Research ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Physically Active ◽  
Supportive Behaviors ◽  
Study Methodology ◽  
Barriers And Challenges

Physical activity (PA) and social support have known benefits for the well-being and health of older adults, and social support is associated with PA behavior and positive affective experiences in PA contexts. The aim of this study was to synthesize qualitative research conducted on the experiences of social support related to PA among older adults (age ≥55 years). Following meta-study methodology, the authors searched nine databases and extracted information from 31 studies. Results were synthesized in terms of common themes and in light of theoretical and methodological perspectives used. The qualitative literature identifies supportive behaviors and social network outcomes which may be useful for informing how best to support older adults to be physically active. This literature rarely reflected the experiences of vulnerable populations, and future research should aim to further understand supportive behaviors which enable older adults to overcome barriers and challenges to being physically active.

Physical Activity Psychology Research: Where Have We Been? Where Are We Going?

2014 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 44-52 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bradley J. Cardinal
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Research Trends ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Psychology Research ◽  
Research Directions ◽  
Physically Active ◽  
Quarter Century ◽  
Call To Action ◽  
Future Research Directions ◽  
Foundational Work

This paper offers a critical review and analysis of physical activity psychology research over the past quarter century (primarily), describes current research trends in the area, and suggests future research directions. This is a vast and ambitious task. Furthermore, the contributions come from those within kinesiology, as well as outside of kinesiology, with many new disciplines and professions advancing research agendas in this domain. There are rich and distinctive opportunities for interdisciplinary collaborations in this area, opportunities that have genuine transformative potential. Following the paper's introduction, six major topics are addressed, including: what physical activity psychology is, foundational work in physical activity psychology research, trends in physical activity psychology research, behavioral specificity, physical activity prevalence, and where to go in the future. The paper concludes with a call-to-action, particularly aimed at helping to get and keep people physically active across the lifespan, which is the fundamental work of physical activity psychology.

scholarly journals Fundamental questions about genes, inactivity, and chronic diseases

2007 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 146-157 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frank W. Booth ◽  
Simon J. Lees
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Chronic Diseases ◽  
Physical Inactivity ◽  
Gene Interaction ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Molecular Evidence ◽  
Metabolic Dysfunction ◽  
Physically Active ◽  
Early Disease Detection ◽  
Artery Disease

Currently our society is faced with the challenge of understanding the biological basis for the epidemics of obesity and many chronic diseases, including Type 2 diabetes. Physical inactivity increases the relative risk of coronary artery disease by 45%, stroke by 60%, hypertension by 30%, and osteoporosis by 59%. Moreover, physical inactivity is cited as an actual cause of chronic disease by the US Centers of Disease Control. Physical activity was obligatory for survival for the Homo genus for hundreds of thousands of years. This review will present evidence that suggests that metabolic pathways selected during the evolution of the human genome are inevitably linked to physical activity. Furthermore, as with many other environmental interactions, cycles of physical activity and inactivity interact with genes resulting in a functional outcome appropriate for the environment. However, as humans are less physically active, there is a maladaptive response that leads to metabolic dysfunction and many chronic diseases. How and why these interactions occur are fundamental questions in biology. Finally, a perspective to future research in physical inactivity-gene interaction is presented. This information is necessary to provide the molecular evidence required to further promote the primary prevention of chronic diseases through physical activity, identify those molecules that will allow early disease detection, and provide society with the molecular information needed to counter the current strategy of adding physical inactivity into our lives.

scholarly journals Barriers to Physical Activity Among Gay Men

2016 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 408-417 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miranda A. Cary ◽  
Danielle R. Brittain ◽  
Mary K. Dinger ◽  
Melissa L. Ford ◽  
Meagan Cain ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Gay Men ◽  
Binary Logistic Regression ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Physically Active ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Gay Males ◽  
Men 2 ◽  
Common Barriers ◽  
Specific Barriers

Gay men may not be physically active at recommended levels to achieve health benefits. Thus, a need exists to identify general (i.e., common across populations) and population-specific barriers that hinder or stop gay men from participating in physical activity (PA). Salient barriers may be identified through the extent each barrier limits PA (i.e., barrier limitation) and the level of one’s confidence to overcome barriers and engage in PA (i.e., self-regulatory efficacy). The purposes of this study were to (1) provide a description of general and population-specific barriers to PA among sufficiently and insufficiently active gay men, (2) identify barrier limitation and self-regulatory efficacy for the reported barriers, and (3) examine the associations between meeting the current PA recommendation, barrier limitation, and self-regulatory efficacy. Participants were 108 self-identified gay males aged 21 to 64 years who completed a web-based survey. A total of 35 general barriers and no population-specific barriers were identified by the sufficiently and insufficiently active groups. The sufficiently active group reported higher self-regulatory efficacy and lower barrier limitation for nearly all reported barriers. A binary logistic regression used to examine the associations between PA, barrier limitation, and self-regulatory efficacy was statistically significant, χ2(2, N = 108) = 19.26, p < .0001, R2 = .16. Only barrier limitation significantly contributed to the model. Future research should continue to examine barriers to PA among gay men to determine whether an intervention needs to be designed specifically for gay men or whether a one-size-fits-all intervention would be effective in helping all men overcome common barriers to engaging in PA.

Overcoming Barriers to Physical Activity During Pregnancy and the Postpartum Period: The Potential Impact of Social Support

2014 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 135-148 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher P. Connolly ◽  
Deborah L. Feltz ◽  
James M. Pivarnik
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Social Support ◽  
Postpartum Period ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Postpartum Women ◽  
Physically Active ◽  
Pregnancy And Postpartum ◽  
Potential Impact ◽  
Primary Focus ◽  
Barriers To Physical Activity

Pregnant and postpartum women have reported a number of barriers that prevent them from being sufficiently physically active. Overcoming these barriers is critical to ensure the health benefits of physical activity to both mother and fetus. The primary focus of this review centers on the potential impact social support may have in overcoming each of the primary barriers to physical activity experienced during pregnancy and the postpartum period. A reasonable body of research exists regarding the relationships between social support and these barriers; however, few investigations have specifically attempted to mitigate the effects of these barriers via social support interventions. Within this review, the enabling influence of social support as it pertains to pregnant and postpartum women's physical activity is discussed. Recommendations are suggested for the application of social support in future research investigations involving physical activity during pregnancy and postpartum.

Impact of Outdoor Gyms on Adults’ Participation in Physical Activity: A Natural Experiment in Chile

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
María J. Oliveros ◽  
Pamela Serón ◽  
Fernando Lanas ◽  
Shrikant I. Bangdiwala
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Odds Ratio ◽  
Natural Experiment ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
World Health ◽  
Short Version ◽  
Physically Active ◽  
Physical Activity Recommendations ◽  
Urban Adults ◽  
Time Varying Covariates

Background: Although low levels of physical activity have slightly decreased globally, the need to reverse the physical inactivity remains urgent. One approach has been the installation of outdoor gyms (OGs). Method: A natural experiment arose from the installation of OGs in different neighborhoods of the city of Temuco, Chile. Baseline measurements were collected between 2006 and 2017 in a cohort of adults participating in the Prospective Urban & Rural Epidemiology study. Physical activity was assessed with the short version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, and time-varying covariates was assessed every 3 years. The multistage hierarchical, nested sampling process and the follow-up assessments led to data correlated at different levels, thus the authors analyzed the data using a logistic multilevel model. Result: 2463 urban adults from 16 neighborhoods, with an average age of 51.7 (9.8) years (67% female), were included. Having an adequate number of OGs improved the odds of complying with the World Health Organization’s recommendations (adjusted odds ratio = 4.64, 3.95–5.45). In addition, being male (odds ratio = 1.53, 1.32–1.77) and under the age of 60 years (odds ratio = 0.83, 0.71–0.97) were associated with being physically active. Conclusion: The presence of more OGs can have a positive impact on physical activity recommendations.

scholarly journals Possibilities and challenges for physical and social environment research in Brazil: a systematic literature review on health behaviors

2013 ◽  
Vol 29 (10) ◽  
pp. 1955-1973 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Paula Belon ◽  
Candace Nykiforuk
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Social Environment ◽  
Physical Environment ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Brazilian Literature ◽  
Recreational Facilities ◽  
Environment Factor ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Activity Domain ◽  
Physical Activity Domain

This systematic review analyzed articles focused on the relationship between environment (physical, built, perceived, and social) and smoking, alcohol drinking, physical activity, diet, and obesity in Brazil. Studies published between 19952011 were retrieved from seven databases and hand searches. Based on the 42 articles reviewed, gaps were identified and recommendations were made for future research. Despite a growing number of studies, the Brazilian literature is still limited. The increase of articles in 2010-2011 coincided with the diversification of lifestyles studied, although physical activity domain remains predominant. Most studies analyzed neighborhood settings and used subjective measures for lifestyle and for environment. The presence of recreational facilities was the main physical environment aspect studied, while safety from crime was the prominent social environment factor. More research is needed to yield a rich body of evidence that leads to theoretical and methodological advances, and that supports interventions aimed at creating healthy environments.

scholarly journals Disentangling Race, Poverty, and Place in Disparities in Physical Activity

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (7) ◽  
pp. 1193 ◽  
Author(s):  
Armani Hawes ◽  
Genee Smith ◽  
Emma McGinty ◽  
Caryn Bell ◽  
Kelly Bower ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
United States ◽  
Social Context ◽  
Racial Disparities ◽  
The United States ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Physically Active ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Using Data ◽  
The Impact

Significant racial disparities in physical activity—a key protective health factor against obesity and cardiovascular disease—exist in the United States. Using data from the 1999–2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey and the 2000 United States (US) Census, we estimated the impact of race, individual-level poverty, neighborhood-level poverty, and neighborhood racial composition on the odds of being physically active for 19,678 adults. Compared to whites, blacks had lower odds of being physically active. Individual poverty and neighborhood poverty were associated with decreased odds of being physically active among both whites and blacks. These findings underscore the importance of social context in understanding racial disparities in physical activity and suggest the need for future research to determine specific elements of the social context that drive disparities.

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