Public open space characteristics influencing adolescents' use and physical activity: A systematic literature review of qualitative and quantitative studies

Linde Van Hecke; Ariane Ghekiere; Jenny Veitch; Delfien Van Dyck; Jelle Van Cauwenberg; Peter Clarys; Benedicte Deforche

doi:10.1016/j.healthplace.2018.03.008

Public open space characteristics influencing adolescents' use and physical activity: A systematic literature review of qualitative and quantitative studies

Health Place. 2018 May:51:158-173. doi: 10.1016/j.healthplace.2018.03.008. Epub 2018 Apr 6.

Authors

Linde Van Hecke¹, Ariane Ghekiere², Jenny Veitch³, Delfien Van Dyck⁴, Jelle Van Cauwenberg⁵, Peter Clarys⁶, Benedicte Deforche⁷

Affiliations

¹ Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium; Physical Activity, Nutrition and Health Research Unit, Department of Movement and Sport Sciences, Faculty of Physical Education and Physical Therapy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium. Electronic address: linde.vanhecke@ugent.be.
² Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium. Electronic address: ariane.ghekiere@ugent.be.
³ Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition (IPAN), School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia. Electronic address: jenny.veitch@deakin.edu.au.
⁴ Fund for Scientific Research Flanders (FWO), Brussels, Belgium; Department of Movement and Sport Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium. Electronic address: delfien.vandyck@ugent.be.
⁵ Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium; Fund for Scientific Research Flanders (FWO), Brussels, Belgium. Electronic address: jelle.vancauwenberg@ugent.be.
⁶ Physical Activity, Nutrition and Health Research Unit, Department of Movement and Sport Sciences, Faculty of Physical Education and Physical Therapy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium. Electronic address: peter.clarys@vub.be.
⁷ Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium; Physical Activity, Nutrition and Health Research Unit, Department of Movement and Sport Sciences, Faculty of Physical Education and Physical Therapy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium. Electronic address: benedicte.deforche@ugent.be.

PMID: 29631072
DOI: 10.1016/j.healthplace.2018.03.008

Abstract

The objective of this systematic review was to provide insight into the specific characteristics of public open spaces (POS) associated with adolescents' POS visitation and physical activity (PA). Qualitative research suggests many characteristics to be associated with POS visitation and PA. Quantitative evidence confirmed a positive association between presence of trails, playgrounds and specific types of sports fields (e.g. basketball) with POS visitation and PA, whereas safety and aesthetics seemed subordinate. Suggestions for future research, as well as some methodological recommendations are provided.

Keywords: Exercise; Green space; Parks; Recreation; Teens; Urban; Youth.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Systematic Review

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Environment Design*
Exercise*
Humans
Parks, Recreational*
Residence Characteristics
Socioeconomic Factors
Sports