Independent mobility, perceptions of the built environment and children's participation in play, active travel and structured exercise and sport: The PEACH Project
Children with higher levels of independent mobility participate more in a range of physical activities
Children’s physical activity, particularly if regular, is associated with mental and physical benefits. In contrast, lack of physical activity is associated with an increase in children’s overweight and obesity. Children’s physical activity behavior may vary based on context (i.e., whether it is school based exercise or active commuting to school). The purpose of this study by Page and colleagues was to investigate whether children’s independent mobility (children’s ability to move around their neighborhood on their own), perceptions of the environment, and distance from home to school were related to the frequency with which they participated in three different types of physical activity: outdoor play, structured exercises and sports, and active commuting to school.
Researchers used data from a large study of over 1,300 10- to 11-year-old children from 23 schools in a large UK city. As part of the study, children completed computerized questionnaires about their outdoor play, exercise/sport activity, and travel from home to school, as well as their independent mobility and perceptions of their environment. Researchers examined children’s local (travel to best friend’s house, local shops, and park or playground) as well as area (travel to swimming pool, library, cinema, arcade, bus stop, sports and shopping center) independent mobility.
In analyzing the data, Page and colleagues found that boys reported taking part significantly more often in outdoor play and exercise/sport activities than girls. Researchers also found that boys had significantly higher local independent mobility and perceptions of personal and traffic safety than girls. With regard to factors influencing children’s outdoor play, exercise/sport activities, and active commuting to school, Page and colleagues found the following:
Outdoor Play: Boys played outside more if they scored higher in independent mobility (local and area) and social norm (more children around to play with). Girls played outside more if they scored higher in area independent mobility, social norm, and traffic safety.
Exercise/Sports Activities: Boys participated in more exercise/sport activities if they scored higher in local independent mobility, personal safety, and had easier access to facilities. Girls participated in more exercise/sport activities if they had easier access to both school and friend’s homes, access to a broader range of facilities, and more space to play both inside and outside the home.
Active Commuting to School: Boys actively commuted to school more often if they scored higher in local independent mobility and reported having greater accessibility to school and friend’s homes and other destinations. Girls actively commuted to school more often if they scored higher in local independent mobility. Finally, both girls and boys actively commuted more to school if they lived closer to school.
This correlational study demonstrates the important relationship between independent mobility and increased levels of different types of physical activity and provides valuable information that can help inform physical activity interventions for girls and boys in order to increase their physical activity..
Citation
Page, A. S., Cooper, A. R., Griew, P., Jago, R., (2010). Independent mobility, perceptions of the built environment and children's participation in play, active travel and structured exercise and sport: The PEACH Project. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 7(17)
