Assessing Perceived Physical Environmental Variables that May Influence Physical Activity

Abstract

The present study evaluated a measure of perceived physical environments that may influence physical activity. Forty-three self-report items were used to assess environmental variables at homes, in neighborhoods, or on frequently traveled routes. The presence of facilitators of (e.g., equipment, programs, attractive surroundings) and barriers to (e.g., high crime) physical activity was assessed. In 110 college students, test-retest reliabilities were .89 for the home equipment scale, .68 for the neighborhood scale, and .80 for the convenient facilities scale. Home equipment and convenient facilities scales were correlated with self-reported physical activity. In multiple regression analyses, the only significant association, after adjusting for neighborhood socioeconomic status, was home equipment with strength exercise. Further research is needed to identify other environmental characteristics that may influence physical activity.

Environmental factors associated with adults' participation in physical activity A review

“…14,15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22,23,24,25,26,27,28,29 Four of the studies used objective measures of the environment, including place of residence (using postal codes), physical distance, and accessibility of facilities. 29,30,31,32 One study included both perceived and objective measures.…”

Do individual cognitions mediate the association of socio-cultural and physical environmental factors with adolescent sports participation?

“…bicycle, dog, home trainer/treadmill, running shoes, stationary aerobic equipment, step aerobics, skates, balls, racquets and jumping rope). This list was translated from Sallis et al (24) . The adolescents could tick which of these were available in their home.…”

Community SES, Perceived Environment, and Physical Activity During Home-Based Cardiac Rehabilitation: Is There a Need to Consider the Urban vs. Rural Distinction?

“…11,12 However, urban/rural differences emerged such that having increased access to free or low-cost recreation facilities (e.g., parks, walking trails, bike paths, recreations centers, and playgrounds) and seeing more people actively engaging in MVPA in their communities was significantly associated with MVPA for rural patients only. Hence, home-based CR programs may want to consider these potential urban-/rural-specific "targets" when they probe their patients concerning their environments.…”

“…using a yes/no response format (see full list in Table 2). 11 Perceived community characteristics were assessed using the self-administered environmental module from the International Physical Activity Prevalence Study. 17 Specifically, patients were asked to "Please circle the number (i.e., from 1=strongly disagree to 4=strongly agree) that best applies to your community during the next 3 months" (see Table 2 for a full list of items).…”

“…3 In the home-based CR context, it is also important to consider the patients' perceptions of their home and community environments. Research in non-diseased populations has shown that increased MVPA was significantly associated with having more pieces of home physical activity (PA) equipment 10,11 and various community characteristics such as reduced crime and access to walking paths. 12,13 Whether similar findings would emerge in a home-based CR population and whether the various perceived environment/MVPA relationships are similar for urban and rural patients remains unknown.…”