Akio Kubota1,2, Munehiro Matsushita1, Takashi Arao3, Dafna Merom4, Ester Cerin2,5, Takemi Sugiyama2,6. 1. Tokai University, Hiratsuka, Japan. 2. Australian Catholic University, Melbourne, Australia. 3. Meiji Yasuda Life Foundation of Health and Welfare, Hachioji, Japan. 4. Western Sydney University, Australia. 5. The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China. 6. Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, Australia.
Abstract
Objective: This study evaluated the effect of a community-wide walking intervention (involving walking maps and events) on older residents' walking and environmental perceptions. Method: In this nonrandomized quasi-panel study, older adults living in an intervention and control site were recruited at baseline and follow-up. All households in the intervention site received maps and were invited to participate in a walking event monthly. The intervention lasted for 21 months. The outcomes were walking frequency, duration, and perceptions of local environments. Results: We did not find a significant improvement in walking frequency or duration in the intervention site relative to the control site. However, there was a significant increase in the awareness of others being active and a marginal increase in the perception of aesthetics in the intervention site. Discussion: The increased awareness of others being active may be a positive step in the stages of change toward engagement in physical activity.
Objective: This study evaluated the effect of a community-wide walking intervention (involving walking maps and events) on older residents' walking and environmental perceptions. Method: In this nonrandomized quasi-panel study, older adults living in an intervention and control site were recruited at baseline and follow-up. All households in the intervention site received maps and were invited to participate in a walking event monthly. The intervention lasted for 21 months. The outcomes were walking frequency, duration, and perceptions of local environments. Results: We did not find a significant improvement in walking frequency or duration in the intervention site relative to the control site. However, there was a significant increase in the awareness of others being active and a marginal increase in the perception of aesthetics in the intervention site. Discussion: The increased awareness of others being active may be a positive step in the stages of change toward engagement in physical activity.
Keywords:
environmental perceptions; group walking; physical activity