Features and amenities of school playgrounds: A direct observation study of utilization and physical activity levels outside of school time

International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity

Research

Natalie Colabianchi¹  Kamala Swayampakala²  Andréa L Maslow³ 

[1] Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Arnold School of Public Health, University of School Carolina, 800 Sumter Street, 29208, Columbia, SC, USA;Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Arnold School of Public Health, University of School Carolina, 800 Sumter Street, 29208, Columbia, SC, USA;Public Health Consortium, 800 Sumter Street, 29208, Columbia, SC, USA;R. Stuart Dickson Institute for Health Studies, Carolinas HealthCare System, PO Box 32861, 28232, Charlotte, NC, USA;

关键词: Physical Activity Level;    Census Tract;    Target Area;    Negative Binomial Regression;    Step Count;   

DOI  :  10.1186/1479-5868-8-32

 received in 2010-08-23, accepted in 2011-04-14,  发布年份 2011

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundA significant amount of research has examined whether park or playground availability is associated with physical activity. However, little research has examined whether specific features or amenities of parks or playgrounds, such as the number of unique types of playground equipment or the safety of the equipment is associated with utilization of the facility or physical activity levels while at the facility. There are no studies that use direct observation and a detailed park assessment to examine these associations.MethodsTwenty urban schoolyards in the Midwest, ten of which were renovated, were included in this study. Using a detailed environmental assessment tool (i.e., Environmental Assessment of Public Recreation Spaces), information on a variety of playground attributes was collected. Using direct observation (i.e., System for Observing Play and Leisure Activity in Youth), the number of adults, girls and boys attending each schoolyard and their physical activity levels were recorded. Each schoolyard was observed ten times for 90 minutes each time outside of school hours. Clustered multivariable negative binomial regressions and linear regressions were completed to examine the association between playground attributes and utilization of the schoolyard and the proportion active on the playground, respectively. Effect modification by renovation status was also examined.ResultsAt renovated schoolyards, the total number of play features was significantly associated with greater utilization in adults and girls; overall cleanliness was significantly associated with less utilization in girls and boys; and coverage/shade for resting features was significantly associated with greater utilization in adults and boys. At unrenovated schoolyards, overall safety was significantly associated with greater utilization in boys. No playground attribute was associated with the proportion active on the playground after adjusting for all other significant playground attributes.ConclusionsHaving a large quantity of play features and shade at renovated playgrounds were positively associated with utilization of the schoolyard. Modifying playgrounds to have these features may increase the utilization of these facilities outside of school time. Additional research should explore what features and amenities are associated with increased physical activity levels of children and adults who utilize the facilities.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© Colabianchi et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd. 2011