Correlates of distances traveled to use recreational facilities for physical activity behaviors

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Information regarding how far people are willing to travel to use destinations for different types of recreational physical activity behaviors is limited. This study examines the demographic characteristics, neighborhood opportunity...

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Main Authors: Bulsara Max, Giles-Corti Billie, McCormack Gavin R, Pikora Terri J
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2006-07-01
Series:International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity
Online Access:http://www.ijbnpa.org/content/3/1/18
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author Bulsara Max
Giles-Corti Billie
McCormack Gavin R
Pikora Terri J
author_facet Bulsara Max
Giles-Corti Billie
McCormack Gavin R
Pikora Terri J
author_sort Bulsara Max
collection DOAJ
description <p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Information regarding how far people are willing to travel to use destinations for different types of recreational physical activity behaviors is limited. This study examines the demographic characteristics, neighborhood opportunity and specific-physical activity behaviors associated with distances traveled to destinations used for recreational physical activity.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A secondary analysis was undertaken of data (n = 1006) from a survey of Western Australian adults. Road network distances between respondents' homes and 1) formal recreational facilities; 2) beaches and rivers; and 3) parks and ovals used for physical activity were determined. Associations between distances to destinations and demographic characteristics, neighborhood opportunity (number of destinations within 1600 meters of household), and physical activity behaviors were examined.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Overall, 56.3% of respondents had used a formal recreational facility, 39.9% a beach or river, and 38.7% a park or oval. The mean distance traveled to all destinations used for physical activity was 5463 ± 5232 meters (m). Distances traveled to formal recreational facilities, beaches and rivers, and parks and ovals differed depending on the physical activity undertaken. Younger adults traveled further than older adults (7311.8 vs. 6012.6 m, p = 0.03) to use beaches and rivers as did residents of socio-economically disadvantaged areas compared with those in advantaged areas (8118.0 vs. 7311.8 m, p = 0.02). Club members traveled further than non-members to use parks and ovals (4156.3 vs. 3351.6 meters, p = 0.02). The type of physical activity undertaken at a destination and number of neighborhood opportunities were also associated with distance traveled for all destination types.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The distances adults travel to a recreational facility depends on the demographic characteristics, destination type, physical activity behavior undertaken at that destination, and number of neighborhood opportunities. Knowing how far adults travel to undertake physical activity will assist in designing supportive neighborhoods and designing future ecological research.</p>
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spelling doaj.art-a623cbf88005478fa5250d96eb4dd6c52022-12-22T02:50:52ZengBMCInternational Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity1479-58682006-07-01311810.1186/1479-5868-3-18Correlates of distances traveled to use recreational facilities for physical activity behaviorsBulsara MaxGiles-Corti BillieMcCormack Gavin RPikora Terri J<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Information regarding how far people are willing to travel to use destinations for different types of recreational physical activity behaviors is limited. This study examines the demographic characteristics, neighborhood opportunity and specific-physical activity behaviors associated with distances traveled to destinations used for recreational physical activity.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A secondary analysis was undertaken of data (n = 1006) from a survey of Western Australian adults. Road network distances between respondents' homes and 1) formal recreational facilities; 2) beaches and rivers; and 3) parks and ovals used for physical activity were determined. Associations between distances to destinations and demographic characteristics, neighborhood opportunity (number of destinations within 1600 meters of household), and physical activity behaviors were examined.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Overall, 56.3% of respondents had used a formal recreational facility, 39.9% a beach or river, and 38.7% a park or oval. The mean distance traveled to all destinations used for physical activity was 5463 ± 5232 meters (m). Distances traveled to formal recreational facilities, beaches and rivers, and parks and ovals differed depending on the physical activity undertaken. Younger adults traveled further than older adults (7311.8 vs. 6012.6 m, p = 0.03) to use beaches and rivers as did residents of socio-economically disadvantaged areas compared with those in advantaged areas (8118.0 vs. 7311.8 m, p = 0.02). Club members traveled further than non-members to use parks and ovals (4156.3 vs. 3351.6 meters, p = 0.02). The type of physical activity undertaken at a destination and number of neighborhood opportunities were also associated with distance traveled for all destination types.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The distances adults travel to a recreational facility depends on the demographic characteristics, destination type, physical activity behavior undertaken at that destination, and number of neighborhood opportunities. Knowing how far adults travel to undertake physical activity will assist in designing supportive neighborhoods and designing future ecological research.</p>http://www.ijbnpa.org/content/3/1/18
spellingShingle Bulsara Max
Giles-Corti Billie
McCormack Gavin R
Pikora Terri J
Correlates of distances traveled to use recreational facilities for physical activity behaviors
International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity
title Correlates of distances traveled to use recreational facilities for physical activity behaviors
title_full Correlates of distances traveled to use recreational facilities for physical activity behaviors
title_fullStr Correlates of distances traveled to use recreational facilities for physical activity behaviors
title_full_unstemmed Correlates of distances traveled to use recreational facilities for physical activity behaviors
title_short Correlates of distances traveled to use recreational facilities for physical activity behaviors
title_sort correlates of distances traveled to use recreational facilities for physical activity behaviors
url http://www.ijbnpa.org/content/3/1/18
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AT gilescortibillie correlatesofdistancestraveledtouserecreationalfacilitiesforphysicalactivitybehaviors
AT mccormackgavinr correlatesofdistancestraveledtouserecreationalfacilitiesforphysicalactivitybehaviors
AT pikoraterrij correlatesofdistancestraveledtouserecreationalfacilitiesforphysicalactivitybehaviors