C Stevinson1, M Hickson2. 1. School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, Loughborough University, Loughborough, UK. 2. Institute of Health and Community, Plymouth University, Plymouth, UK.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Mass participation events are recognized as a way of engaging low-active individuals in health-enhancing physical activity, but there is a need to investigate the sustained effects on behaviour and health. This study aimed to examine changes in self-reported physical activity, weight and wellbeing over 12 months in participants of parkrun, a weekly mass participation 5 km running event. METHODS: New parkrun registrants (n = 354) completed self-reported measures of physical activity, weight, happiness and stress, at registration, 6 months and 12 months. Objective data on attendance and fitness (i.e. run dates and finishing times) were obtained from the parkrun database. RESULTS: Overall physical activity levels were high at baseline, but significantly increased over the first 6 months, before declining. By 12 months, weekly physical activity was 39 min higher than baseline. Significant reductions in body mass index were observed over 12 months, with a weight loss of 1.1% in the whole sample, and 2.4% among overweight participants. Modest increases in happiness and decreases in perceived stress were recorded. Run times suggested a 12% improvement in fitness during the study. CONCLUSION: Significant changes in weight, fitness and wellbeing outcomes indicate the public health benefits of regular participation in parkrun.
BACKGROUND: Mass participation events are recognized as a way of engaging low-active individuals in health-enhancing physical activity, but there is a need to investigate the sustained effects on behaviour and health. This study aimed to examine changes in self-reported physical activity, weight and wellbeing over 12 months in participants of parkrun, a weekly mass participation 5 km running event. METHODS: New parkrun registrants (n = 354) completed self-reported measures of physical activity, weight, happiness and stress, at registration, 6 months and 12 months. Objective data on attendance and fitness (i.e. run dates and finishing times) were obtained from the parkrun database. RESULTS: Overall physical activity levels were high at baseline, but significantly increased over the first 6 months, before declining. By 12 months, weekly physical activity was 39 min higher than baseline. Significant reductions in body mass index were observed over 12 months, with a weight loss of 1.1% in the whole sample, and 2.4% among overweight participants. Modest increases in happiness and decreases in perceived stress were recorded. Run times suggested a 12% improvement in fitness during the study. CONCLUSION: Significant changes in weight, fitness and wellbeing outcomes indicate the public health benefits of regular participation in parkrun.
Authors: Ewa Malchrowicz-Mośko; Patxi León-Guereño; Miguel Angel Tapia-Serrano; Pedro Antonio Sánchez-Miguel; Zbigniew Waśkiewicz Journal: Front Public Health Date: 2020-11-17
Authors: Robert Smith; Paul Schneider; Alice Bullas; Steve Haake; Helen Quirk; Rami Cosulich; Elizabeth Goyder Journal: Wellcome Open Res Date: 2020-06-18
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