Abstract
Background
Participation in regular physical activity is associated with a multitude of health benefits
across the life course. However, many people fail to meet PA recommendations. Despite a
plethora of studies, the evidence regarding the environmental (physical) determinants of
physical activity remains inconclusive.
Objective
To identify the physical environmental determinants that influence PA across the life course.
Methods
An online systematic literature search was conducted using MEDLINE, ISI Web of Science,
Scopus and SPORTDiscus. The search was limited to studies published in English (January
2004 to April 2016). Only systematic literature reviews (SLRs) and meta-analyses (MAs) of
observational studies, that investigated the association between physical determinants and
physical activity outcomes, were eligible for inclusion. The extracted data were assessed on
the importance of determinants, strength of evidence and methodological quality.
Results
The literature search identified 28 SLRs and 3 MAs on 67 physical environmental characteristics potentially related to physical activity that were eligible for inclusion. Among preschool children, a positive association was reported between availability of backyard
space and outdoor toys/equipment in the home and overall physical activity. The availability of physical activity programs and equipment within schools, and neighbourhood features such as pedestrian and cyclist safety structure were positively associated with
physical activity in children and adolescents. Negative street characteristics, for example,
lack of sidewalks and streetlights, were negatively associated with physical activity in
adults. Inconsistent associations were reported for the majority of reviewed determinants
in adults.
Conclusion
This umbrella SLR provided a comprehensive overview of the physical environment determinants of physical activity across the life course and has highlighted, particularly amongst
youth, a number of key determinants that may be associated with overall physical activity.
Given the limited evidence drawn mostly from cross-sectional studies, longitudinal studies
are needed to further explore these associations.
Participation in regular physical activity is associated with a multitude of health benefits
across the life course. However, many people fail to meet PA recommendations. Despite a
plethora of studies, the evidence regarding the environmental (physical) determinants of
physical activity remains inconclusive.
Objective
To identify the physical environmental determinants that influence PA across the life course.
Methods
An online systematic literature search was conducted using MEDLINE, ISI Web of Science,
Scopus and SPORTDiscus. The search was limited to studies published in English (January
2004 to April 2016). Only systematic literature reviews (SLRs) and meta-analyses (MAs) of
observational studies, that investigated the association between physical determinants and
physical activity outcomes, were eligible for inclusion. The extracted data were assessed on
the importance of determinants, strength of evidence and methodological quality.
Results
The literature search identified 28 SLRs and 3 MAs on 67 physical environmental characteristics potentially related to physical activity that were eligible for inclusion. Among preschool children, a positive association was reported between availability of backyard
space and outdoor toys/equipment in the home and overall physical activity. The availability of physical activity programs and equipment within schools, and neighbourhood features such as pedestrian and cyclist safety structure were positively associated with
physical activity in children and adolescents. Negative street characteristics, for example,
lack of sidewalks and streetlights, were negatively associated with physical activity in
adults. Inconsistent associations were reported for the majority of reviewed determinants
in adults.
Conclusion
This umbrella SLR provided a comprehensive overview of the physical environment determinants of physical activity across the life course and has highlighted, particularly amongst
youth, a number of key determinants that may be associated with overall physical activity.
Given the limited evidence drawn mostly from cross-sectional studies, longitudinal studies
are needed to further explore these associations.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | e0182083 |
| Pages (from-to) | 1-26 |
| Number of pages | 26 |
| Journal | PLoS ONE |
| Volume | 12 |
| Issue number | 8 |
| Early online date | 7 Aug 2017 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published online - 7 Aug 2017 |
Keywords
- physical environment
- determinants
- physical activity