Innovative playgrounds: use, physical activity, and implications for health

The aim of the study is to assess the use and levels of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) occurring in innovative playgrounds in London vs. traditional playgrounds in the US in neighborhoods with a similar population density.

This is a cross-sectional observational study.

We selected a sample of London playgrounds based on their innovative design. One group of eight playgrounds was matched to the US playgrounds by size and population density; a second group of very large London playgrounds was matched only by population density. Playground use and person-hours of MVPA were measured using direct observation at similar times of the day and days of the week in all locations.

The number of playground visit hours was 58% higher in London than in the US (394 vs 249). The matched London playgrounds had 37.8% more children and 129% more adults who were, respectively, engaging in 90% and 116% more MVPA. While the London playgrounds were nearly 8.5 times larger than the US ones, they attracted a total of 5.8 times more visitors (1399 vs 243, P < .0001), and this included 10 times as many adults (679 vs. 66, P < .0001) and 7.5 times more seniors (23 vs. 3). The London playgrounds included more amenities targeting adults.

The design of an innovative playground was associated with the amount of MVPA in similar-sized playgrounds, but the size of the playground was more strongly associated with the number of visitors. It is as important to design playgrounds for adults as it is for children to increase visit hours.