If You Build It, Will They Come? A Quasi-experiment of Sidewalk Improvements and Physical Activity. Issue 9 (1st May 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Knell, Gregory; Durand, Casey P.; Shuval, Kerem; Kohl, Harold W.; Salvo, Deborah; Olyuomi, Abiodun; Gabriel, Kelley Pettee
• Is Part Of: Translational journal of the American College of Sports Medicine. Volume 3:Issue 9(2018)
• Publication Date: 2018-05-01
• Subjects: Exercise -- Physiological aspects -- Periodicals; Exercise -- Periodicals; Sports medicine -- Periodicals; 613.7
• DOI: 10.1249/TJX.0000000000000060
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2379-2868

Abstract

Abstract : ABSTRACT: Improving sidewalks could lead to more physical activity through improved access, while providing a safe and defined space to walk. However, findings on the association between sidewalks and physical activity are inconclusive. The purpose of this study was to examine changes in self-reported and accelerometer-derived physical activity associated with living near recently improved sidewalks in a diverse, community-based sample from the Houston Travel Related Activity in Neighborhoods Study. Data are from 430 adults and include baseline and first annual follow-up (2014–2017). Fully adjusted, two-step regression models were built to test the hypothesis that living near (within 250 m) an improved sidewalk was associated with greater levels of physical activity compared with not living near an improved sidewalk. Most participants were female, were non-Hispanic black, had low income, and had low education, and nearly half lived near at least one improved sidewalk. After adjustment, among participants reporting some physical activity, living near two sidewalk improvements was associated with 1.6 times more minutes per week of walking and leisure-time physical activity compared with those not living near a sidewalk improvement ( P < 0.05). On the basis of accelerometry, which does not specifically quantify domain-specific physical activity, there were no significant associations. In conclusion, although these mixed findings warrant further research, results suggest that improving sidewalks may have an effect on participants' physical activity. Nonspecific definitions of sidewalk improvements could be contributing to type 1 error. Future work should also examine behavioral interventions alongside changes to the built environment to determine the effects on physical activity.