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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.
Journal of Physical Activity & Health
|December 30, 2025
Summary
A new tool, the System of Observing Play and Recreation in Communities for Resistance Training (SOPARC-RT), reliably measures outdoor gym usage. This tool is valuable for assessing resistance training in public spaces.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Kinesiology
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Outdoor gyms offer accessible opportunities for public resistance training (RT).
- Existing tools for measuring outdoor gym utilization are lacking.
- The System of Observing Play and Recreation in Communities for Resistance Training (SOPARC-RT) was developed to address this gap.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate a reliable tool for assessing outdoor gym usage.
- To evaluate the interrater reliability of the SOPARC-RT tool.
Main Methods:
- Paired observers conducted 24 observations across four outdoor gyms.
- Interrater reliability was assessed using Bland-Altman plots, intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs), and weighted kappa coefficients.
Main Results:
- The SOPARC-RT tool demonstrated excellent interrater reliability for all users (ICC = .96).
- High reliability was consistent across different age groups: youth, adults, and seniors.
- Confidence intervals for ICC were .91-.99, indicating strong agreement.
Conclusions:
- SOPARC-RT is a reliable instrument for measuring resistance training in outdoor gym settings.
- This tool can be effectively used by researchers and local government agencies.
- It supports the assessment of public engagement with outdoor fitness equipment.
