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Using a Real-Time Locating System to Measure Walking Activity Associated with Wandering Behaviors Among Institutionalized Older Adults
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Assessing urban walking trail use and changes in the trail environment using systematic observational protocols.

Duncan C Meyers1, Dawn K Wilson, Kassandra A Kugler

  • 1University of South Carolina, 1512 Pendleton St., Columbia, SC 29208, USA. meyersd@mailbox.sc.edu

Health & Place
|July 17, 2012
PubMed
Summary

Modified observation tools reliably measured walking trail use and environmental features in underserved communities. These findings support accurate data collection for public health research in diverse populations.

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Area of Science:

  • Public Health
  • Environmental Health
  • Community Health

Background:

  • Assessing walking trail use and features is crucial for public health interventions.
  • Existing observation protocols may not be suitable for diverse, underserved communities.
  • Modifications are needed to ensure reliable data collection in these settings.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the reliability of modified systematic observation protocols.
  • To assess walking trail utilization in underserved communities.
  • To examine physical environmental features of walking trails in low-income and minority areas.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic observation protocols were adapted for underserved populations.
  • The Positive Action for Today's Health (PATH) walking trial provided the study context.
  • Reliability was assessed using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) and Cohen's kappa (κ).

Main Results:

  • High reliability was found for measuring trail use (ICC=.98).
  • Reliability for assessing trail features ranged from fair to high (κ=.77-1.00; ICC=.34-1.00).
  • The customized observation tools demonstrated consistent performance.

Conclusions:

  • Modified observation tools are reliable for measuring trail use in underserved communities.
  • The adapted protocols effectively assess physical trail features in diverse environments.
  • These validated tools can enhance public health research and interventions in resource-limited settings.