Physical activity in parks: A randomized controlled trial using community engagement

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Community Interventions
• Physical Activity Promotion

Background:

• Physical inactivity is a significant health risk factor.
• Community-level interventions are crucial for addressing physical inactivity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate a community-based participatory approach involving park directors and park advisory boards (PABs) to increase park-based physical activity.
• To compare the effectiveness of involving PABs versus working with park directors alone.

Main Methods:

• A randomized controlled trial (RCT) was conducted in 50 Los Angeles neighborhood parks from 2007 to 2012.
• Parks were randomized into three arms: park director intervention (PD-only), PAB and park director intervention (PAB/PD), and control.
• Physical activity was measured through systematic observation and interviews with park users and nearby residents.

Main Results:

• Both PD-only and PAB/PD interventions led to increased physical activity compared to control parks, where activity declined.
• Intervention parks saw an average increase of 600 weekly visits and 1830 MET-hours of physical activity.
• Residents and park users in intervention groups reported higher exercise frequency, with no significant difference between PD-only and PAB/PD arms.

Conclusions:

• Community-based participatory approaches, including training and modest funding for park directors and PABs, successfully increased physical activity in local parks.
• Involving PABs did not yield significantly different results compared to working solely with park directors.