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A Simple Tool to Assess Outdoor Gym Use
Anna K Jansson1,2, Mitch J Duncan2,3,4, Sam Beacroft2,3
1School of Health Sciences, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia.
Introduction:
Outdoor gyms present an opportunity to promote resistance training (RT) among the general population, however, there is a lack of reliable tools that can measure outdoor gym usage. We developed a modified version of the System of Observing Play and Recreation in Communities to assess Resistance Training using outdoor gyms (SOPARC-RT).
Methods:
Paired assessors completed observations (N = 24) across 4 outdoor gyms. The interrater reliability was assessed using Bland-Altman plots, intraclass correlation coefficients, and weighted kappa coefficients based on distribution of the data.
Results:
The SOPARC-RT tool demonstrated excellent interrater reliability for all users overall (intraclass correlation coefficients = .96; 95% confidence interval, .91-.99), as well as youth (children and adolescents), adults and seniors.
Conclusions:
SOPARC-RT is a reliable tool that can be utilized by researchers and local government agencies interested in measuring RT using outdoor gym equipment among the general population.
