Related Experiment Videos
Developing a reliable audit instrument to measure the physical environment for physical activity
Terri J Pikora1, Fiona C L Bull, Konrad Jamrozik
1School of Population Health, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia. terri@dph.uwa.edu.au
American Journal of Preventive Medicine
|September 28, 2002
Summary
A new tool, the Systematic Pedestrian and Cycling Environmental Scan (SPACES), reliably measures neighborhood factors influencing walking and cycling. This instrument is practical and easy to use for collecting street-level data.
Area of Science:
- Environmental science
- Public health
- Urban planning
Background:
- Physical environment significantly impacts physical activity participation.
- Specific environmental factors influencing walking and cycling patterns require further identification.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a comprehensive instrument to measure physical environmental factors influencing walking and cycling.
- To assess the reliability of this newly developed instrument.
Main Methods:
- The Systematic Pedestrian and Cycling Environmental Scan (SPACES) instrument was developed through expert consultation and literature review.
- Data collected across 1987 km of roads in Perth, Western Australia, using the SPACES instrument and geographic information systems (GIS).
- Inter- and intra-rater reliability of the SPACES instrument were assessed among 16 observers.
Main Results:
- The SPACES instrument was reported by observers to be user-friendly.
- High inter- and intra-rater reliability were achieved for the environmental scan instrument.
Conclusions:
- The developed instrument offers a reliable, practical, and easy-to-use method for collecting detailed street-level data.
- This data can inform understanding of physical environmental influences on neighborhood walking and cycling.