Youth physical activity resource use and activity measured by accelerometry

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Kinesiology
• Environmental Health

Background:

• Physical activity resources, such as parks and recreational facilities, are crucial for promoting healthy lifestyles.
• Adolescent physical activity levels are often suboptimal, necessitating strategies to increase engagement.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between the utilization of physical activity resources and objectively measured daily physical activity in adolescents.
• To determine if access to and use of community physical activity resources correlates with higher levels of moderate-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and vigorous physical activity (VPA).

Main Methods:

• One hundred eleven adolescents participated, completing a travel diary alongside accelerometry measurements for objective physical activity assessment.
• Exposure was defined as self-reported use of at least one physical activity resource versus none.
• Primary outcomes included total daily minutes spent in moderate-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and vigorous physical activity (VPA).

Main Results:

• Significant positive association found between using a physical activity resource and total minutes of moderate-vigorous physical activity (MVPA).
• African American adolescents and males reported significantly higher levels of MVPA.
• No significant association was found for vigorous physical activity (VPA) alone.

Conclusions:

• The findings support the development and strategic implementation of community-based physical activity resources.
• Enhancing access to and promoting the use of parks and similar facilities may be an effective public health strategy to increase adolescent physical activity.