CDC COMMUNITY GUIDE: Environmental and Policy Approaches to Increase Physical Activity: Creation of or Enhanced Access to Places for Physical Activity Combined with Informational Outreach Activities
CDC
An Evidence-Based Practice
Description
Creation of or enhancing access to places for physical activity involves the efforts of worksites, coalitions, agencies, and communities as they attempt to change the local environment to create opportunities for physical activity. Such changes include creating walking trails, building exercise facilities, or providing access to existing nearby facilities.
These multicomponent programs were evaluated as a "combined package" because it was not possible to separate out the effects of each individual component.
The Community Preventive Services Task Force recommends the creation of or enhanced access to places for physical activity based on strong evidence of their effectiveness in increasing physical activity and improving physical fitness.
These multicomponent programs were evaluated as a "combined package" because it was not possible to separate out the effects of each individual component.
The Community Preventive Services Task Force recommends the creation of or enhanced access to places for physical activity based on strong evidence of their effectiveness in increasing physical activity and improving physical fitness.
Results / Accomplishments
Results from the Systematic Reviews:
Ten studies qualified for the review.
• In all 10 studies reviewed, creating or enhancing access to places for physical activity was effective in getting people to exercise more.
-Aerobic capacity: median increase of 5.1% (interquartile interval: 2.8% to 9.6%; 8 study arms)
-Energy expenditure: median increase of 8.2% (interquartile interval: -2.0% to 24.6%; 3 study arms)
-Percentage of participants reporting some leisure-time physical activity: median increase of 2.9% (interquartile interval: -6.0% to 8.5%; 4 study arms)
-Exercise score: median increase of 13.7% (interquartile interval: -1.8% to 69.6%; 6 study arms)
• Most of the studies also reported weight losses or decreases in body fat among program participants.
• Many of these programs train participants to use exercise equipment and offer health behavior education, risk factor screening, referrals to physicians or additional services, health and fitness programs, and support or buddy systems.
• These interventions were effective among both men and women and in various settings, including industrial plants, universities, federal agencies, and low-income communities.
• If appropriately adapted to the target populations, these interventions should be applicable to diverse settings and groups.
Ten studies qualified for the review.
• In all 10 studies reviewed, creating or enhancing access to places for physical activity was effective in getting people to exercise more.
-Aerobic capacity: median increase of 5.1% (interquartile interval: 2.8% to 9.6%; 8 study arms)
-Energy expenditure: median increase of 8.2% (interquartile interval: -2.0% to 24.6%; 3 study arms)
-Percentage of participants reporting some leisure-time physical activity: median increase of 2.9% (interquartile interval: -6.0% to 8.5%; 4 study arms)
-Exercise score: median increase of 13.7% (interquartile interval: -1.8% to 69.6%; 6 study arms)
• Most of the studies also reported weight losses or decreases in body fat among program participants.
• Many of these programs train participants to use exercise equipment and offer health behavior education, risk factor screening, referrals to physicians or additional services, health and fitness programs, and support or buddy systems.
• These interventions were effective among both men and women and in various settings, including industrial plants, universities, federal agencies, and low-income communities.
• If appropriately adapted to the target populations, these interventions should be applicable to diverse settings and groups.
About this Promising Practice
Primary Contact
Topics
Health / Physical Activity
Environmental Health / Built Environment
Environmental Health / Built Environment
Source
Community Guide Branch Epidemiology and Analysis Program Office, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Location
USA
For more details
http://www.thecommunityguide.org/index.html#topics
http://www.thecommunityguide.org/pa/environmental-...
http://www.thecommunityguide.org/pa/environmental-...
Target Audience
Women, Men, Racial/Ethnic Minorities
Additional Audience
Communities