Take a walk in the park? A cross-over pilot trial comparing brisk walking in two different environments: Park and urban

• Published in: Preventive medicine Vol. 55; no. 5; pp. 438 - 443
• Main Authors: Sellers, C.E, Grant, P.M, Ryan, C.G, O'Kane, C, Raw, K, Conn, D
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01-11-2012
• Subjects: Accelerometer; Adolescent; Adult; Cross-Over Studies; Environment; Ergometry; Female; Gait; Humans; Internal Medicine; Interruptions; Male; Middle Aged; Parks; Physical activity; Physical Exertion; Pilot Projects; Pilot studies; Scotland; Urban Health; Walking; Scotland; Accelerometer; Walking; Environment; Physical activity
• ISSN: 0091-7435; 1096-0260
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2012.09.005

Abstract Objective The objective of the present study is to investigate whether differences exist between a 30 minute brisk walk taken in two different environments in order to determine which environment best facilitates current physical activity guidelines: park or urban. Methods In this randomised cross-over pilot study, participants performed a self-timed 30 minute brisk walk in two different environments, park and urban, in Glasgow, Scotland (October 2009 to January 2010). Cadence, recorded using the activ PAL™ activity monitor, was used to measure intensity. Outcome measures were: mean cadence; moderate-to-vigorous physical activity time accumulated in bouts lasting ≥ 10 min; number of walking breaks; and duration. Results A convenience sample of 40 healthy adults was recruited: 16 males, 24 females, mean age 22.9 (5.5) years. The mean cadence for the whole walk was higher in the park: 119.3 (8.3) vs. 110.9 (8.9) steps/min. Participants accumulated more moderate‐to‐vigorous physical activity in ≥ 10 minute bouts during park walks: 25.5 (9.6) [median (interquartile range)] vs. 14.0 (20.3) min. There was no difference in self-timed duration between locations. Conclusion Participants accumulated more moderate‐to‐vigorous physical activity in bouts ≥ 10 min in duration on park walks due to the lack of interruptions in walking. Hence the park environment better facilitated the achievement of current physical activity guidelines. Further research involving a larger, more heterogeneous sample is recommended.