Environmental factors associated with adults' participation in physical activity A review
Abstract
Background Promoting physical activity is a public health priority, and changes in the environmental contexts of adults' activity choices are believed to be crucial. However, of the factors associated with physical activity, environmental influences are among the least understood.Method Using journal scans and computerized literature database searches, we identified 19 quantitative studies that assessed the relationships with physical activity behavior of perceived and objectively determined physical environment attributes. Findings were categorized into those examining five categories: accessibility of facilities, opportunities for activity, weather, safety, and aesthetic attributes.Results Accessibility, opportunities, and aesthetic attributes had significant associations with physical activity. Weather and safety showed less-strong relationships. Where studies pooled different categories to create composite variables, the associations were less likely to be statistically significant.Conclusions Physical environment factors have consistent associations with physical activity behavior. Further development of ecologic and environmental models, together with behavior-specific and context-specific measurement strategies, should help in further understanding of these associations. Prospective studies are required to identify possible causal relationships.
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Among adults, greater accessibility to recreation or exercise spaces and facilities was generally, although not always, associated with more physical activity.
“Among adults, greater accessibility was generally, although not always, associated with more physical activity.28,337–342”
From Population Approaches to Improve Diet, Physical Activity, and Smoking Habits: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association (2012) · cites this paper as [339]
Characteristics linked to physical activity included access to local parks and bicycle paths, presence of facilities on frequently traveled routes, and neighborhood density of public and private facilities.
“Examples of characteristics linked to physical activity included access to local parks and bicycle paths, the presence of facilities on frequently traveled routes, and neighborhood density of public and private facilities.339”
From Population Approaches to Improve Diet, Physical Activity, and Smoking Habits: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association (2012) · cites this paper as [339]
In children, recent findings on neighborhood aesthetics and physical activity or adiposity have been relatively limited and mixed.
“In children, recent findings have been relatively limited and mixed.”
From Population Approaches to Improve Diet, Physical Activity, and Smoking Habits: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association (2012) · cites this paper as [339]
Recent systematic reviews collectively evaluated about 20 cross-sectional studies of neighborhood aesthetics and physical activity or adiposity, about half in children and half in adults.
“Recent systematic reviews collectively evaluated about 20 cross-sectional studies, about half in children and half in adults.”
From Population Approaches to Improve Diet, Physical Activity, and Smoking Habits: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association (2012) · cites this paper as [339]
Many cross-sectional studies evaluated general aesthetics or enjoyable scenery in adults, and nearly all found relations with more favorable physical activity or adiposity measures.
“In contrast, many cross-sectional studies evaluated general aesthetics or enjoyable scenery, and nearly all found relations with more favorable physical activity or adiposity measures (Supplementary Table 10e).”
From Population Approaches to Improve Diet, Physical Activity, and Smoking Habits: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association (2012) · cites this paper as [339]
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- Authors
- Humpel, N.
- Affiliations
- University of Wollongong (AU)
- Corresponding author
- Humpel, N
- Venue
- American Journal of Preventive Medicine
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2002-04
- Volume
- 22
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 188-199
- ISSN
- 0749-3797 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2109248649
- Cited by
- 1,783
- References
- 38
- Citations by year
- 2026: 18 · 2025: 35 · 2024: 40 · 2023: 40 · 2022: 50 · 2021: 67 · 2020: 65 · 2019: 70 · 2018: 80 · 2017: 60 · 2016: 90 · 2015: 105 · 2014: 100 · 2013: 97 · 2012: 85
- FWCI
- 235.53
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- American Journal of Preventive Medicine (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Research Online (University of Wollongong) (submittedVersion)
- Figshare (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Transportation › Urban Transport and Accessibility
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Physical Activity and Health
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis › Urban Green Space and Health
- Keywords
- physical activity, built environment, environmental factors, adults, weather, perceived safety, aesthetic characteristics, physical activity promotion
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Community Participation, Environment, Female, Health Promotion, Humans, Male, Motor Activity, Patient Participation, Safety, Weather, Health Behavior, Causality
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