Social and Physical Environmental Factors Influencing Adolescents’ Physical Activity in Urban Public Open Spaces: A Qualitative Study Using Walk-Along Interviews

Abstract

Most previous studies examining physical activity in Public Open Spaces (POS) focused solely on the physical environment. However, according to socio-ecological models the social environment is important as well. The aim of this study was to determine which social and physical environmental factors affect adolescents’ visitation and physical activity in POS in low-income neighbourhoods. Since current knowledge on this topic is limited, especially in Europe, qualitative walk-along interviews were used to obtain detailed and context-specific information. Participants (n = 30, aged 12–16 years, 64% boys) were recruited in POS in low-income neighbourhoods in Brussels, Ghent and Antwerp (Belgium). Participants were interviewed while walking in the POS with the interviewer. Using this method, the interviewer could observe and ask questions while the participant was actually experiencing the environment. All audio-recorded interviews were transcribed and analysed using Nvivo 10 software and thematic analysis was used to derive categories and subcategories using a grounded theory approach. The most important subcategories that were supportive of visiting POS and performing physical activity in POS were; accessibility by foot/bicycle/public transport, located close to home/school, presence of (active) friends and family, cleanliness of the POS and features, availability of sport and play facilities, large open spaces and beautiful sceneries. The most important subcategories that were unsupportive of visiting POS and physical activity in POS were; presence of undesirable users (drug users, gangs and homeless people), the behaviour of other users and the cleanliness of the POS and features. Social factors appeared often more influential than physical factors, however, it was the combination of social and physical factors that affected adolescents’ behaviour in POS. Easily accessible POS with high quality features in the proximity of adolescents’ home or school may stimulate physical activity, if adolescents also experience a safe and familiar social environment.

Factors related with public open space use among adolescents: a study using GPS and accelerometers

“…In this study, an increase in age with 1 year, was associated with a 40% lower odds of having engaged in VPA in POS. From previous qualitative research it became apparent that the playgrounds and facilities present in POS are often designed for younger children causing a lack of age appropriate facilities for (older) adolescents [ 27 ]. Creating POS with attractive facilities for older adolescents (such as sport fields [ 27 ] and adventurous playgrounds with high swings and big slides [ 79 ]) could possibly counteract this age-dependent decline in physical activity levels.…”

“…POS may be especially important for adolescents under the age of sixteen because they do not have the possibility to drive a car or moped and are, therefore, still limited in their ability to visit places located at greater distance from their residence and have to rely more on public transportation. Moreover, qualitative research has indicated that adolescents attach great importance to POS as a place where they can spend time without parental supervision or to be away from the bustle at home or school [ 27 , 28 ].…”

Physical and Social Contexts of Physical Activity Behaviors of Fifth and Seventh Grade Youth

“…Few studies have simultaneously examined the physical and social contexts of youth physical activity, especially as they relate to sex differences, 13,21,22,24,25 and fewer have examined contextual factors during developmental transitions. 26,27 Researchers and practitioners need to understand age-and sex-specific contextual patterns of engaging in physical activity in order to design effective programs and policies to promote physical activity in youth.…”

Eye on the Ball: Table Tennis as a Pro-Health Form of Leisure-Time Physical Activity

“…5%), one should bear in mind that individuals living in more affluent areas have better access to PA facilities [ 57 ]—which may reflect the substantial difference between cities and rural areas or towns. Moreover, as Van Hecke et al [ 58 ] show, in significantly deprived areas even free access to tennis tables does not have an impact on their use, due to the lack of other equipment. This may contribute to the underrepresentation of both the poorest individuals and poorest communities among table tennis players.…”