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Published (Version of record)CC BY V4.0, Open Access
Published (Version of record)CC BY V4.0, Open
Journal article
A longitudinal study examining uptake of new recreation infrastructure by inactive adults
The international journal of behavioral nutrition and physical activity, Vol.16, 59
01/08/2019
PMCID: PMC6676615
PMID: 31370855
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Abstract
Background
The built environment is reported to influence physical activity in populations, but longitudinal evidence about the impact of building new physical activity infrastructure is limited. This study aimed to prospectively investigate the uptake and usage of the newly established Peninsula Aquatic and Recreation Centre (PARC), a large multi-purpose recreation facility in Melbourne, Australia.
Methods
Physically inactive adults (n = 549) from the City of Frankston were recruited before the opening of PARC and followed up 12 months later to measure frequency of attendance at the Centre, and the purposes and barriers to use. Multivariable methods were used to identity the demographic, cognitive and social predictors of attendance, and the relationship between PARC use and improvements in leisure-time physical activity.
Results
Over 12 months 8.7% of the sampled residents used PARC once per month or more, 17.5% attended less than once per month, and 73.8% did not use the Centre. Lap swimming was the dominant purpose for attendance, and the major barriers were cost of transport and cost of entry. Independent predictors of usage were being female, having children, living within 5 km of the Centre, and expressing strong intentions for use prior to its opening. Use of PARC was not associated with progression to a higher level of total leisure-time physical activity.
Conclusions
While installation of multi-purpose aquatic and recreation facilities may be considered an investment towards physical activity in populations, regular use by inactive people is likely to be low. Strategies to reduce barriers, including cost and transport, and to motivate use should be trialled in order to improve the public health impacts of this form of infrastructure.
Details
- Title
- A longitudinal study examining uptake of new recreation infrastructure by inactive adults
- Creators
- Ben J. Smith - University of SydneyRuth MacKenzie-Stewart - Monash UniversityFiona J. Newton - Monash UniversityTilahun N. Haregu - University of MelbourneAdrian Bauman - University of SydneyRobert J. Donovan - University of Western AustraliaAjay Mahal - University of MelbourneMichael T. Ewing - Deakin UniversityJoshua D. Newton - Deakin University
- Publication Details
- The international journal of behavioral nutrition and physical activity, Vol.16, 59
- Publisher
- BioMed Central
- Grant note
- This study was funded by Australian Research Council Linkage Grant LP130101005, and by Frankston City Council.
- Identifiers
- 991013124055602368
- Copyright
- © The Author(s) 2019. Open Access: This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
- Academic Unit
- Faculty of Business, Law and Arts
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article