GPS-based activity space exposure to greenness and walkability is associated with increased accelerometer-based...

Area of Science:

• Environmental health
• Urban planning
• Physical activity research

Background:

• Traditional studies on physical activity and environment use limited measures like residential addresses and self-reports.
• Objective measurement of physical activity and environmental exposure is needed.

Purpose of the Study:

• To quantify associations between global positioning system (GPS)-based activity space measures of environmental exposure and accelerometer-based physical activity.
• To explore how walkability and greenness within activity spaces relate to physical activity levels.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a nationwide sample of 354 working adult females, collecting seven days of GPS and accelerometry data.
• Created Daily Path Area activity spaces and linked them to walkability and greenness spatial datasets.
• Employed generalized additive models to analyze associations, adjusting for covariates.

Main Results:

• Higher activity space walkability correlated with increased moderate-vigorous physical activity.
• Greater activity space greenness was associated with a higher weekly step count.
• Optimal moderate-vigorous physical activity levels were observed in spaces with both high walkability and high greenness.

Conclusions:

• Environments with greater walkability and greenness support higher physical activity levels.
• Urban planners and policymakers should consider environmental interventions to boost physical activity.
• Findings highlight the importance of dense, diverse, well-connected built environments and vegetation.