Outdoor gyms in Santiago: urban distribution and effects on physical activity

Abstract

To put together a registry of the location of all existing outdoor gyms (OGs) in Santiago, Chile, and establish a profile of the users of these gyms. Methods: All OGs in Santiago located in public spaces were identified and geo-referenced, and an accessibility analysis of them was carried out. A total of 1,023 users of OGs were surveyed (71% men, average age 31.5 years old, SD =16.6), about the frequency of use of OGs, amount of time spent using them, transportation habits, motivation for usage, and their perceptions regarding their own health, among other questions. In addition, each person's neck circumference was measured. Results: There are 1,981 OGs in the city squares, sidewalks and parks, mostly located in poorest areas of the city. Most OG users live less than one kilometer away from an OG. Discussion: In line with international studies, this research demonstrates that OGs have positive collateral effects, as they not only contribute to users to increase their physical activity, but also because they attract people with sedentary lifestyles to make physical activity. This, in turn, might contribute to make urban areas more livable and safer, for they bring new "eyes to the street" and permit to use cities' under-occupied public spaces. Conclusion: The proliferation of outdoor gyms should be regarded as an opportunity for public health policies aimed at tackling the obesity problem and increasing the physical activity of people.

A systematic review about the characteristics and patterns of use of outdoor gyms

“…In Ibiapina et al (2017) study, most users (63%) take up to 10 minutes to reach the OG but, in Iepsen & Silva (2015) study most users take more than 30 minutes, although 71% of users find it easy to walk from home to the OG. Attending to Mora (2012) and Mora et al (2017) study, in some cases, a 64% of the households found an OG within 500m. Silva, Fermino, Santos Lopes, Alberico & Reis (2018) found that mean distance from home to fitness zone was 2,007 meters.…”

“…The article by Nałęcz, Ostrowska-Tryzno & Pawlikowska-Piechotka (2018) compare 49 OGs in different areas of Warsaw. Only the article by Mora et al (2017) includes 1981 OGs since it is a descriptive study that registers the location of all existing OGs in Santiago (Chile). The authors' aims to make a comparison between OGs are shown in table 5.…”

“…Most users reported being satisfied with the quantity and quality of the available machines (Pinheiro & Coelho Filho, 2017). The average number of pieces of fitness equipment per OG was 4.6 (Mora et al,2017;Del campo et al, 2016). Most OGs have between 4 and 6.…”

“…Incorporation of people with poor or no exercise habits into the realm of regular exercisers is the main reason for building OGs parks. The finding that two out of five OG users did not do any type of PA immediately prior to the installation of OG suggests that they are successful in overcoming people's sedentary behaviour (Mora, 2012;Mora, Weisstaub, Greene & Herrmann, 2017). Others purpose of OGs are to enhance the practice of PA by insufficiently active people.…”

“…Increasing the accessibility of OGs through good design, location and promotion could be an important public health strategy to increase PA among at risk populations (Cranney, Shaw, Phongsavan, 2018). OGs can contribute users´ PA and attract people with sedentary lifestyles to exercise (Mora et al, 2017). But OGs success depends on different elements; complement such as fountains, shadows, good maintenance, PA teachers and others.…”