The prevalence and use of walking loops in neighborhood parks: A national study
Walking loops in parks may be an effective way to increase population level physical activity
Do walking loops at parks promote higher park use and park-based physical activity? Researchers addressed this question by analyzing data from the National Study of Neighborhood Parks in which a representative sample of neighborhood parks were observed systematically to document facilities and park users by age group and sex. “Walking loops,” defined as relatively long walking paths designed for recreational and exercise purposes, tend to support longer-duration moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) than short sidewalks. This study compared the number of people and their physical activity in parks with and without walking loops. Park size, park facilities, and population density were some of the factors controlled for in the analysis.
Researchers used the System of Observing Play and Recreation in Communities (SOPARC) to collect data on park users, their physical activity levels, and the area contexts in which they were observed. Observations were conducted by trained observers during 12 hourly observation periods at parks in 25 US cities. Researchers also collected information on park conditions and neighborhood walkability.
Parks with walking loops had 80% more users than parks without walking loops. Levels of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity were also significantly higher in the parks with walking loops. The additional park use and park-based physical activity occurred not just on the walking loops but throughout the park. Males used the walking loops more often than females, and more adults used the walking loops than youths or seniors. Seventy-six percent of the walking loop users were engaged in moderate physical activity; 18% in vigorous activity. Five percent of the users were sedentary, being pushed in a stroller or wheelchairs. There was no difference in the walkability of neighborhoods for parks with and without walking loops, suggesting that walking loops are likely not being used to compensate for streets and sidewalks that are not pedestrian friendly.
This study suggests that walking loops in parks support MVPA. While further research is needed to establish a causal relationship, the findings from this study suggest that walking loops in parks may be an effective way to increase population level physical activity.
Citation
Cohen, D.A., Han, B., Evenson, K.R., Nagel, C., McKenzie, T.L., Marsh, T., Williamson, S., Harnik, P., (2017). The prevalence and use of walking loops in neighborhood parks: A national study. Environmental Health Perspectives, 125(2),
