System for Observing Play and Recreation in Communities (SOPARC): Reliability and Feasibility Measures

McKenzie, Thomas L.; Cohen, Deborah A.; Sehgal, Amber; Williamson, Stephanie; Golinelli, Daniela

doi:10.1123/jpah.3.s1.s208

Cited by 428 publications

(472 citation statements)

References 20 publications

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“…Second, in this relatively small sample of parks, findings are not broadly generalizable to all municipal park systems. Third, subdividing parks into activity zones or target areas 61 could have yielded more detailed data about specific behavior settings and how they vary by area race and income. 62 Further research is also needed to not only make comparisons of availability, condition, and cleanliness but to also examine whether disparities in these park attributes contribute to disparities in park use and physical activity.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Disparities in Built and Natural Features of Urban Parks: Comparisons by Neighborhood Level Race/Ethnicity and Income

Bruton

Floyd

2014

J Urban Health

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Known associations between the built environment and health outcomes have accelerated research examining racial/ethnic and income disparities in access to parks and other community features that support physical activity. Currently, it cannot be concluded that park characteristics are equal in quantity or condition across areas of disparate race/ethnicity and income composition. This study examined natural and built park characteristics across areas of different race/ethnicity and income composition to identify potential disparities. Twenty-one parks in Greensboro, NC (USA), located in minority or non-minority areas and in low or medium-high income areas were inventoried using a park audit tool and GIS. Parks were compared on number of activity areas, features, amenities, size, percent tree canopy, cleanliness, and condition. Independent sample t tests and Mann-Whitney tests were used to compare means of outcome variables. Fisher's exact tests were applied for categorical variables. Fewer wooded areas and more trash cans were found in low-income and minority areas as compared to medium-high income and non-minority areas. Low-income areas were found to have more picnic areas than their counterparts. Sitting and resting features in non-minority areas were found to be cleaner than those in minority areas. Results showed some evidence of disparities in park characteristics. Findings can inform park policy and design as well as renovations and maintenance procedures, particularly in specific areas where existing disparities were identified.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Disparities in Built and Natural Features of Urban Parks: Comparisons by Neighborhood Level Race/Ethnicity and Income

Bruton

Floyd

2014

J Urban Health

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“…However, self-reported physical activity data have limitations such as recall accuracy, over-estimation, and social desirability bias [86,87]. As such, additional research is recommended to include objective measures of physical activity (e.g., heart rate monitoring, accelerometers, systematic observations, such as SOPLAY/SOPARC [66,88]) which can provide more precise estimates of energy expenditure. In addition, as numerous factors contribute to BMI and health outcomes, future research should also take into account variables such as length of residence in the neighborhood.…”

Section: Limitations and Future Researchmentioning

confidence: 99%

Perceptions of Neighborhood Park Quality: Associations with Physical Activity and Body Mass Index

et al. 2013

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Background Parks are important resources for physical activity (PA), yet few studies have examined how perceptions of park characteristics relate to PA and health. Purpose This study investigated associations between perceptions of neighborhood park quality and overall moderateto-vigorous PA (MVPA), park-based PA, and body mass index (BMI). Methods Data were collected via questionnaire from 893 households in Kansas City, Missouri. Results The newly developed neighborhood park quality scale demonstrated good test-retest and internal reliability. Residents' perceptions of neighborhood park quality were related to PA and health outcomes. Perceiving parks as a benefit was positively related to overall MVPA and park-based PA and negatively related to BMI. Perceptions of well-used parks were positively related to BMI, while perceived cleanliness was negatively related to parkbased PA. Conclusions Better measuring and understanding how perceptions of local parks are associated with PA and health can improve appreciation of how parks facilitate active living.

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“…• Target areas for physical activity To evaluate the target areas for physical activity, SOPARC protocol was used, developed to obtain observational data in public places 25 . SOPARC has been widely used to evaluate parks and public open spaces in the community and has been used recently in Latin America 8,26,27 .…”

Section: Dependent Variablesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…and surface (grass, concrete, etc.). In addition, the conditions (accessible, usable, equipped, supervised, organized, dark, empty) of selected areas were assessed with yes/no 25 . SOPARC observations were conducted by four trained observers under the supervision of two field coordinators.…”

Section: Dependent Variablesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Quality of public urban parks for physical activity practice in Bucaramanga, Colombia

Fermino

Ramírez

Lemos

et al. 2017

Rev. Bras. Cineantropom. Desempenho Hum.

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-The characteristics of parks (availability, accessibility, conservation, quality, safety, etc.) are important predictors of their use for physical activity practices. The aim of this study was to verify the association among the socioeconomic level of neighborhoods, the characteristics and quality of urban public parks for physical activity in Bucaramanga, Colombia. Cross-sectional study, conducted in 2015, in which 10 parks with structures for physical activity were evaluated. The socioeconomic level of the district was evaluated based on the neighborhoods around the parks and classified in "low" and "high". The number of residents in the surrounding area of parks were evaluated with Geographic Information System (GIS), site characteristics and quality with the System for Observing Play and Recreation in Communities (SOPARC) and the Physical Activity Resource Assessment (PARA), respectively. The association was analyzed with Mann Whitney U test and Spearman correlation (rho) on STATA 14 and the significance level was maintained at 5%. A positive association was found between the socioeconomic level and the presence of walking paths (marginal, p=0.056), accessibility (rho=0.875; p=0.001) and general quality of parks (rho=0.657; p=0.039). The low socioeconomic level was associated with the presence of sports courts (p=0.032). These results can guide the actions of public managers for the modification of the built environment and structures of the parks for physical activity.Key words: Environment; Green Areas; Motor Activity; Parks; Social Class. (disponibilidade, acessibilidade, conservação, qualidade, segurança, etc.) (marginal, p=0,056), acessibilidade (rho=0,875; p=0,001) e qualidade geral dos parques (rho=0,657; p=0,039). O baixo nível socioeconômico foi associado à presença de quadras para esportes (p=0,032). Esses resultados podem orientar as ações dos gestores públicos para a modificação do ambiente construído e estruturas dos parques para a atividade física. Resumo -As características dos parques

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System for Observing Play and Recreation in Communities (SOPARC): Reliability and Feasibility Measures

Abstract: SOPARC is a reliable and feasible instrument for assessing physical activity and associated contextual data in community settings.

Cited by 428 publications

References 20 publications

Disparities in Built and Natural Features of Urban Parks: Comparisons by Neighborhood Level Race/Ethnicity and Income

Disparities in Built and Natural Features of Urban Parks: Comparisons by Neighborhood Level Race/Ethnicity and Income

Perceptions of Neighborhood Park Quality: Associations with Physical Activity and Body Mass Index

Quality of public urban parks for physical activity practice in Bucaramanga, Colombia

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