Monday, February 10, 2014

Relations between perceptions of environmental features and physical activity.


Relations between perceptions of environmental features and physical activity.
Percept Mot Skills. 2013 Aug;117(1):1091-106
Authors: Suminski RR, Wasserman JA, Mayfield CA, McClain L
Abstract
Studies have examined associations between environmental features and physical activity, but there has been no exploration of adult perceptions about the influence environmental features have on physical activity. This study assessed associations between perceptions of environmental features and physical activity. 305 women and 229 men (18-91 years of age) were interviewed in their homes. Questions elicited self-report data on physical activities they performed in their neighborhood (sidewalks near home) and perceptions about neighborhood environmental features. Women (86.4%) were more likely than men (79.3%) to be active in their neighborhoods and view the features as influential. The influences features were perceived to have on physical activity were associated with activity performed in the neighborhood, but perceptions of the conditions of features were not. Interviewers of adults about relationships between environmental features and physical activity should consider perceptions about the influence the feature exerts on activity levels.

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