An examination of the prospective association between physical activity and academic achievement in youth at the population level

Exercise has significant benefits for brain health and this may have downstream learning benefits for youth. However existing studies looking at links between physical activity and academic achievement are limited by relatively small sample sizes and/or cross-sectional designs. The objective of this study is to determine the direction and magnitude of the association between physical activity and academic achievement in a large prospective sample of adolescents. Linear mixed models with random intercepts and multinomial ordinal generalized estimating equations were employed to analyze the prospective relationship between measures of physical activity and academic achievement from the COMPASS study (N = 9,898 linked participant data cases from year 2 (2013–2014) to year 4 (2015–2016)). The linear relationships between minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity and academic achievement (English: r = -.047, p < .000; Math: r = -.026, p = .008) as well as meeting the national physical activity guidelines and academic achievement (English: est = -.052, p = .004; Math: est = -.052, p = .028) were negative and trivial in magnitude. Organized sport participation showed slight positive associations with academic achievement indices, but these were also of trivial magnitude. In conclusion, the relationship between physical activity and academic achievement was effectively null in this population sample. Advocacy for physical activity programming for adolescent populations may best be undertaken with reference to lack of net academic achievement cost, rather than presence of benefit, or simply with reference to the many other physical and mental health benefits for youth.

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A population-level examination of the magnitude of relationship between physical activity and academic achievement

10.21203/rs.2.10654/v1 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Mia Papasideris ◽

Scott Leatherdale ◽

Kate Battista ◽

Peter A. Hall

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Academic Achievement ◽

Academic Performance ◽

Sport Participation ◽

Vigorous Physical Activity ◽

Population Sample ◽

Population Level ◽

Performance Outcomes ◽

Physical Activity Guidelines ◽

Linear Relationships

Abstract Background Although physical activity has traditionally been thought to compete with academic activities in terms of academic performance outcomes, more recent studies have suggested that the brain health benefits of exercise could in theory compensate for this. However, to date no adequately powered prospective studies have attempted to reconcile these two competing possibilities. The objective of this study is to determine the direction and magnitude of the association between physical activity and academic performance in a large prospective sample of adolescents. Methods Linear regression mixed models with random intercepts and multinomial ordinal generalized estimating equations were employed to analyze the relationship between measures of physical activity and academic performance from the COMPASS study (N=9,898 linked participant data cases from year 2 (2013-2014) to year 4 (2015-2016)). Results The linear relationships between minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity and academic performance (English: r= -.047, p<.000; Math: r= -.026, p=0.008) as well as meeting the national physical activity guidelines and academics performance (English: est =-0.052, p=.004; Math: est = -0.052, p=.028) were negative and trivial in magnitude. Organized sport participation showed slight positive associations with academic performance, but these were also of trivial magnitude. Conclusions Physical activity does not predict academic achievement prospectively in this population sample; findings suggest no net cost or clear benefit in relation to academic performance. Advocacy for physical activity programming for adolescent populations may best be undertaken with reference to lack of net academic performance cost, rather than presence of benefit.

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Clusters of Adolescent Physical Activity Tracker Patterns and Their Associations With Physical Activity Behaviors in Finland and Ireland: Cross-Sectional Study

Journal of Medical Internet Research ◽

10.2196/18509 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 22 (9) ◽

pp. e18509 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Kwok Ng ◽

Sami Kokko ◽

Tuija Tammelin ◽

Jouni Kallio ◽

Sarahjane Belton ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Sport Participation ◽

Vigorous Physical Activity ◽

Population Level ◽

Wearable Devices ◽

Active Travel ◽

Wearable Device ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Sports Clubs ◽

Males And Females

Background Physical activity trackers (PATs) such as apps and wearable devices (eg, sports watches, heart rate monitors) are increasingly being used by young adolescents. Despite the potential of PATs to help monitor and improve moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) behaviors, there is a lack of research that confirms an association between PAT ownership or use and physical activity behaviors at the population level. Objective The purpose of this study was to examine the ownership and use of PATs in youth and their associations with physical activity behaviors, including daily MVPA, sports club membership, and active travel, in 2 nationally representative samples of young adolescent males and females in Finland and Ireland. Methods Comparable data were gathered in the 2018 Finnish School-aged Physical Activity (F-SPA 2018, n=3311) and the 2018 Irish Children’s Sport Participation and Physical Activity (CSPPA 2018, n=4797) studies. A cluster analysis was performed to obtain the patterns of PAT ownership and usage by adolescents (age, 11-15 years). Four similar clusters were identified across Finnish and Irish adolescents: (1) no PATs, (2) PAT owners, (3) app users, and (4) wearable device users. Adjusted binary logistic regression analyses were used to evaluate how PAT clusters were associated with physical activity behaviors, including daily MVPA, membership of sports clubs, and active travel, after stratification by gender. Results The proportion of app ownership among Finnish adolescents (2038/3311, 61.6%) was almost double that of their Irish counterparts (1738/4797, 36.2%). Despite these differences, the clustering patterns of PATs were similar between the 2 countries. App users were more likely to take part in daily MVPA (males, odds ratio [OR] 1.27, 95% CI 1.04-1.55; females, OR 1.49, 95% CI 1.20-1.85) and be members of sports clubs (males, OR 1.37, 95% CI 1.15-1.62; females, OR 1.25, 95% CI 1.07-1.50) compared to the no PATs cluster, after adjusting for country, age, family affluence, and disabilities. These associations, after the same adjustments, were even stronger for wearable device users to participate in daily MVPA (males, OR 1.83, 95% CI 1.49-2.23; females, OR 2.25, 95% CI 1.80-2.82) and be members of sports clubs (males, OR 1.88, 95% CI 1.55-2.88; females, OR 2.07, 95% CI 1.71-2.52). Significant associations were observed between male users of wearable devices and taking part in active travel behavior (OR 1.39, 95% CI 1.04-1.86). Conclusions Although Finnish adolescents report more ownership of PATs than Irish adolescents, the patterns of use and ownership remain similar among the cohorts. The findings of our study show that physical activity behaviors were positively associated with wearable device users and app users. These findings were similar between males and females. Given the cross-sectional nature of this data, the relationship between using apps or wearable devices and enhancing physical activity behaviors requires further investigation.

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Clusters of Adolescent Physical Activity Tracker Patterns and Their Associations With Physical Activity Behaviors in Finland and Ireland: Cross-Sectional Study (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.18509 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Kwok Ng ◽

Sami Kokko ◽

Tuija Tammelin ◽

Jouni Kallio ◽

Sarahjane Belton ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Sport Participation ◽

Vigorous Physical Activity ◽

Population Level ◽

Wearable Devices ◽

Active Travel ◽

Wearable Device ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Sports Clubs ◽

Males And Females

BACKGROUND Physical activity trackers (PATs) such as apps and wearable devices (eg, sports watches, heart rate monitors) are increasingly being used by young adolescents. Despite the potential of PATs to help monitor and improve moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) behaviors, there is a lack of research that confirms an association between PAT ownership or use and physical activity behaviors at the population level. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to examine the ownership and use of PATs in youth and their associations with physical activity behaviors, including daily MVPA, sports club membership, and active travel, in 2 nationally representative samples of young adolescent males and females in Finland and Ireland. METHODS Comparable data were gathered in the 2018 Finnish School-aged Physical Activity (F-SPA 2018, n=3311) and the 2018 Irish Children’s Sport Participation and Physical Activity (CSPPA 2018, n=4797) studies. A cluster analysis was performed to obtain the patterns of PAT ownership and usage by adolescents (age, 11-15 years). Four similar clusters were identified across Finnish and Irish adolescents: (1) no PATs, (2) PAT owners, (3) app users, and (4) wearable device users. Adjusted binary logistic regression analyses were used to evaluate how PAT clusters were associated with physical activity behaviors, including daily MVPA, membership of sports clubs, and active travel, after stratification by gender. RESULTS The proportion of app ownership among Finnish adolescents (2038/3311, 61.6%) was almost double that of their Irish counterparts (1738/4797, 36.2%). Despite these differences, the clustering patterns of PATs were similar between the 2 countries. App users were more likely to take part in daily MVPA (males, odds ratio [OR] 1.27, 95% CI 1.04-1.55; females, OR 1.49, 95% CI 1.20-1.85) and be members of sports clubs (males, OR 1.37, 95% CI 1.15-1.62; females, OR 1.25, 95% CI 1.07-1.50) compared to the no PATs cluster, after adjusting for country, age, family affluence, and disabilities. These associations, after the same adjustments, were even stronger for wearable device users to participate in daily MVPA (males, OR 1.83, 95% CI 1.49-2.23; females, OR 2.25, 95% CI 1.80-2.82) and be members of sports clubs (males, OR 1.88, 95% CI 1.55-2.88; females, OR 2.07, 95% CI 1.71-2.52). Significant associations were observed between male users of wearable devices and taking part in active travel behavior (OR 1.39, 95% CI 1.04-1.86). CONCLUSIONS Although Finnish adolescents report more ownership of PATs than Irish adolescents, the patterns of use and ownership remain similar among the cohorts. The findings of our study show that physical activity behaviors were positively associated with wearable device users and app users. These findings were similar between males and females. Given the cross-sectional nature of this data, the relationship between using apps or wearable devices and enhancing physical activity behaviors requires further investigation.

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Impact of the implantable cardioverter defibrillator on confidence to undertake physical activity in inherited heart disease: A cross-sectional study

European Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing ◽

10.1177/1474515117715760 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 16 (8) ◽

pp. 742-752 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Joanna Sweeting ◽

Kylie Ball ◽

Julie McGaughran ◽

John Atherton ◽

Christopher Semsarian ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Heart Disease ◽

Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator ◽

Vigorous Physical Activity ◽

Survey Study ◽

Accelerometer Data ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Physical Activity Guidelines ◽

Cardioverter Defibrillator ◽

The Impact

Background: Physical activity is associated with improved quality of life. Patients with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) face unique clinical and psychological challenges. Factors such as fear of ICD shock may negatively impact on physical activity, while a sense of protection gained from the ICD may instil confidence to be active. Aim: We aimed to examine the impact of an ICD on physical activity levels and factors associated with amount of activity. Methods: Two cross-sectional studies were conducted. Accelerometer data (seven-day) was collected in March–November 2015 for 63 consecutively recruited hypertrophic cardiomyopathy patients, with or without an ICD, aged ⩾18 years. A survey study was conducted in July–August 2016 of 155 individuals aged ⩾18 years with an inherited heart disease and an ICD in situ. Results: Based on the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, mean leisure time physical activity was 239 ± 300 min/week with 51% meeting physical activity guidelines. Accelerometry showed that mean moderate–vigorous physical activity was the same for patients with and without an ICD (254 ± 139 min/week versus 300 ± 150 min/week, p=0.23). Nearly half of survey participants ( n=73) said their device made them more confident to exercise. Being anxious about ICD shocks was the only factor associated with not meeting physical activity guidelines. Conclusions: Patients with inherited heart disease adjust differently to their ICD device, and for many it has no impact on physical activity. Discussion regarding the appropriate level of physical activity and potential barriers will ensure best possible outcomes in this unique patient group.

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Canada’s physical activity guides: has their release had an impact?This article is part of a supplement entitled Advancing physical activity measurement and guidelines in Canada: a scientific review and evidence-based foundation for the future of Canadian physical activity guidelines co-published by Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism and the Canadian Journal of Public Health. It may be cited as Appl. Physiol. Nutr. Metab. 32(Suppl. 2E) or as Can. J. Public Health 98(Suppl. 2).

Applied Physiology Nutrition and Metabolism ◽

10.1139/h07-106 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 32 (S2E) ◽

pp. S161-169 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Christine Cameron ◽

Cora L. Craig ◽

Fiona C. Bull ◽

Adrian Bauman

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Physical Activity ◽

Health Care Systems ◽

Behavioural Change ◽

Population Sample ◽

Recall Rate ◽

Activity Measurement ◽

Scientific Review ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Physical Activity Guidelines

The purpose of this paper is to examine the reach of different versions of Canada’s physical activity guide (CPAG) and their impacts, including immediate effects (awareness, knowledge, beliefs, future intention to be active, first steps towards behavioural change) and population levels of physical activity. The analysis is based on eligible adults aged 18 years and older (n = 8,892) included in the 2003 Physical Activity Monitor (PAM) survey. The 2003 PAM was a cross-sectional, telephone interview of a representative population sample. Secular trends of Canadians aged 12 years and older were examined, using representative samples from the National Population Health and Canadian Community Health Surveys. Unprompted recall of any guidelines for physical activity was very low (4%), whereas prompted recall of the CPAG was higher (37%). Unprompted and prompted recall were higher among women and high-income earners, and increased with level of education. Behaviours associated with “seeking information” and “initiating action” were associated with unprompted and prompted recall. Beliefs about the benefits of physical activity and intention to be active were also associated with prompted recall. Unprompted CPAG recall, knowledge about the amount of activity required to meet the CPAG, intention to be active, “seeking information”, and “initiating action” were associated with being “sufficiently active”. The CPAG is an appropriate set of public health guidelines or recommendations around physical activity. The low unprompted recall rate points to the need for a coordinated, well-funded approach to communication of these guidelines, involving governmental and non-governmental partners and intermediaries in municipalities, schools, workplaces, and the recreational, public health, and health-care systems.

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Gender, Age, and Educational-Attainment Differences in Australian Adults’ Participation in Vigorous Sporting and Fitness Activities

Journal of Physical Activity and Health ◽

10.1123/jpah.1.4.377 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 1 (4) ◽

pp. 377-388 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Eva Leslie ◽

Ester Cerin ◽

Christopher J. Gore ◽

Alexis St. George ◽

Adrian Bauman ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Vigorous Physical Activity ◽

Population Sample ◽

Age Groups ◽

Moderate Intensity ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Younger Adults ◽

Sociodemographic Differences ◽

Low Levels ◽

Public Health Strategies

Background:Participation in regular vigorous physical activity could confer health benefits additional to those derived from moderate-intensity physical activities that are currently the focus of public health strategies.Methods:Sociodemographic differences in reported participation in vigorous sporting and fitness activities over the past 2 weeks were examined using cross-sectional data from an Australian urban population sample.Results:Participation at least once in any form of vigorous physical activity and regular participation (six or more sessions) both decreased across successive age groups and from high to low levels of education. The most frequently reported types of vigorous physical activity were cycling (13.3%), jogging (10.1%), swimming (8.4%) for men; and swimming (8.9%), cycling (8.8%) and aerobics (8.6%) for women.Conclusion:Rates of regular participation in vigorous activities were low. Interventions might focus on ways to encourage younger adults to engage more regularly in these activities and to maintain participation through the lifespan.

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Associations Between 24-Hour Time Use and Academic Achievement in Australian Primary School–Aged Children

Health Education & Behavior ◽

10.1177/1090198120952041 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 47 (6) ◽

pp. 905-913

Author(s):

Amanda Watson ◽

Dorothea Dumuid ◽

Tim Olds

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Academic Achievement ◽

Daily Activity ◽

Sedentary Time ◽

Standardized Test ◽

Vigorous Physical Activity ◽

Pubertal Development ◽

Compositional Data Analysis ◽

Individual Activity ◽

Cross Sectional

Background Previous research has examined associations between individual activity behaviors and academic achievement. Yet activity behaviors should be analyzed together because they are codependent parts of the 24-hour day. Aims This study aims to explore the associations between all daily activity behaviors (sleep, sedentary time, light physical activity [LPA], and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity [MVPA]) and academic achievement using compositional data analysis. Method Participants for this study were drawn from two cohorts: the Australian arm of the cross-sectional International Study of Childhood Obesity, Lifestyle and the Environment ( n = 452; mean age 10.7 years ( SD = 0.4); 54% female) and CheckPoint ( n = 1278; mean age 12 years [ SD = 0.4]; 50% female), a cross-sectional study nested between Waves 6 and 7 of the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children. Objective daily activity behavior data (sleep, sedentary time, LPA, and MVPA) were collected using 8-day, 24-hour accelerometry. Academic achievement was assessed using a nationally administered standardized test in literacy (spelling, grammar and punctuation, writing and reading) and numeracy. Compositional models (adjusted for age, sex, socioeconomic position, and pubertal development) regressed academic scores against isometric log ratios of activity behaviors. We used the models to estimate academic achievement for observed daily activity mixes. Estimated outcomes were plotted against time spent in each individual activity domain, and loess curves were fitted. Discussion and conclusion In two different cohorts using two different accelerometers, lower LPA was related to better numeracy and literacy and higher sedentary time to better literacy (relative to time spent in other domains). Discussion and conclusion. LPA likely “drains time” from other movement behaviors, which are beneficial for academic achievement.

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The relationship between sleep habits, lifestyle factors, and achieving guideline-recommended physical activity levels in ten-to-fourteen-year-old Japanese children: A cross-sectional study

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0242517 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 15 (11) ◽

pp. e0242517

Author(s):

Takumi Aoki ◽

Kazuhiko Fukuda ◽

Chiaki Tanaka ◽

Yasuko Kamikawa ◽

Nobuhiro Tsuji ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Vigorous Physical Activity ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Eighth Grade ◽

Physical Activity Guideline ◽

Activity Levels ◽

Sleep Habits ◽

Japanese Children ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Physical Activity Guidelines

The current focus of meeting the physical activity guidelines for children and young people include preventing conditions such as high blood cholesterol, high blood pressure, metabolic syndrome, obesity, low bone density, depression, and injuries. However, the relationship between sleep habits and meeting physical activity guidelines is still unclear. This study aimed to assess this relationship among fifth- to eighth-grade (ages 10–14) Japanese children. This cross-sectional study included 3,123 children (boys: 1,558, girls: 1,565, mean age: 12.5 ± 1.2 years). Questionnaires were used to assess parameters such as moderate-to-vigorous physical activity per day, school and weekend night sleep durations, social jetlag, daytime sleepiness, napping, screen time, and breakfast intake. Participants were divided into an achievement and a non-achievement group depending on their physical activity guideline achievement status (i.e., whether they met the children’s physical activity guideline of 60 min or more of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity per day). Then, to determine the sleep habits in relation to the children’s achievement of guideline-recommended physical activity levels, multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted. In fifth- and sixth-grade (ages 10–12) boys, an inverse association was observed between physical activity guideline achievement and daytime sleepiness. In seventh- and eighth-grade (ages 12–14) boys, physical activity guideline achievement was inversely associated with social jetlag and skipping breakfast. Additionally, in seventh- and eighth-grade girls, physical activity guideline achievement was inversely associated with inappropriate sleep duration on weekends and screen time. These results suggest that meeting the physical activity guideline is related to favorable sleep habits in Japanese children. However, their relevance may differ by school type and gender.

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Intensity of bouted and sporadic physical activity and the metabolic syndrome in adults

PeerJ ◽

10.7717/peerj.1437 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 3 ◽

pp. e1437 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Jordan Robson ◽

Ian Janssen

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Metabolic Syndrome ◽

Vigorous Physical Activity ◽

Health Benefits ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Physical Activity Guidelines ◽

Health And Nutrition ◽

The Metabolic Syndrome ◽

Intensity Physical Activity ◽

Vigorous Intensity

Background.Physical activity guidelines for adults only recognize the health benefits of accumulating bouted moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), or MVPA occurring over at least 10 consecutive minutes. There is a lack of evidence supporting the health benefits of other patterns and intensities of activity including sporadic MVPA (i.e., MVPA occurring in periods of fewer than 10 consecutive minutes) and light intensity physical activity (LIPA). The objective of this study was to examine the health benefits associated with physical activity that does not meet the physical activity guidelines criteria for bouted MVPA. Specifically, we examined the association between sporadic MVPA and bouted and sporadic LIPA with the metabolic syndrome.Methods.We studied a representative cross-sectional sample of 1,974 adults aged 20 years and older from the 2003–2006 US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Physical activity was measured over 7 days using Actigraph AM-7164 accelerometers. Each minute over the 7-day measurement period was classified as being of a sedentary, light, or moderate-to-vigorous intensity. A 10 min threshold differentiated bouted activity from sporadic activity. Average minutes/day of sporadic LIPA, sporadic MVPA, bouted LIPA, bouted MVPA, and embedded MVPA (MVPA occurring within bouts of primarily LIPA) were calculated. Metabolic syndrome status was determined using established criteria. Associations were examined using logistic regression and controlled for relevant covariates.Results.For every 30 min/day of physical activity, the odds ratio (95% confidence interval) of the metabolic syndrome was reduced by 4% (1–7%) for bouted LIPA, 64% (51–71%) for bouted MVPA, and 57% (45–67%) for embedded MVPA. Sporadic LIPA was not independently associated with the metabolic syndrome. We could not examine the association between sporadic MVPA and the metabolic syndrome because participants accumulated such a marginal amount of this type of activity (i.e., median = 2 min/day, only 11% of participants accumulated ≥5 min/day).Conclusion.The intensity of non-bouted activity is important, as embedded MVPA had a stronger association with the metabolic syndrome than sporadic LIPA and a comparable association to bouted MVPA.

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The Associations Between Access to Recreational Facilities and Adherence to the American Heart Association's Physical Activity Guidelines in US Adults

Frontiers in Public Health ◽

10.3389/fpubh.2021.660624 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 ◽

Author(s):

Larissa Andrade ◽

Ryan Geffin ◽

Mark Maguire ◽

Pura Rodriguez ◽

Grettel Castro ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Low Cost ◽

Vigorous Physical Activity ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Outcome Variable ◽

Future Research ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Recreational Facilities ◽

Physical Activity Guidelines

Physical activity decreases the risk of long-term health consequences including cardiac diseases. According to the American Health Association (AHA), adults should perform at least 75 min of vigorous physical activity (PA) or 150 min of moderate PA per week to impact long-term health. Results of previous studies are varied and have yet to integrate perceived access to facilities with AHA PA guidelines. We investigated whether access to free or low-cost recreational facilities was associated with meeting the AHA PA guidelines.Methodology: This cross-sectional study utilized data extracted from the Family Life, Activity, Sun, Health, and Eating (FLASHE) database collected in 2017 (n = 1,750). The main exposure variable was access to free or low-cost recreational facilities. The main outcome variable was meeting the AHA guidelines of 150 min moderate PA or 75 min vigorous PA per week. Covariates included age, sex, level of education, overall health, BMI, ethnicity, hours of work per week, income, and time living at current address. Unadjusted and adjusted logistic regression analysis were used to calculate measures of odds ratio (OR) and corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI).Results: Of the 1,750 included participants, 61.7% (n = 1,079) reported to have access to recreational facilities. Of those with access to facilities, 69.9% met AHA PA guidelines while 30.4% did not. After adjusting for covariates, participants who reported access to recreational facilities were 42% more likely to meet AHA PA guidelines compared with participants who did not (adjusted OR 1.42; 95% CI 1.14–1.76). Secondary results suggest that healthier individuals were more likely to have met AHA PA guidelines.Conclusions: Having access to free or low-cost recreational facilities such as parks, walking trails, bike paths and courts was associated with meeting the AHA PA guidelines. Increasing prevalence and awareness of neighborhood recreational facilities could assist in access to these facilities and increase the ability of individuals to meet AHA PA guidelines. Future research should determine which types of recreational facilities impact physical activity strongest and discover methods of increasing their awareness.

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