Green Space and Physical Activity in China: A Systematic Review

Jing Shen, Jian Cui, Mengfei Li, Caitlin Vitosky Clarke, Yuanyuan Gao and Ruopeng An
Additional contact information
Jing Shen: Department of Physical Education, China University of Geosciences, Beijing 100083, China
Jian Cui: Department of Physical Education, China University of Geosciences, Beijing 100083, China
Mengfei Li: Department of Physical Education, China University of Geosciences, Beijing 100083, China
Caitlin Vitosky Clarke: Department of Kinesiology and Community Health, University of Illinois, Champaign, IL 61820, USA
Yuanyuan Gao: Sport Social Science Research Center, Shenyang Sport University, Shenyang 110102, China
Ruopeng An: Brown School, Washington University, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 23, 1-21

Abstract: Green space may play an essential role in residents’ physical activity (PA), but evidence remains scattered in China. This study systematically reviewed scientific evidence regarding the influence of green space on PA among residents in China. Keyword and reference searches were conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, EBSCO, and CNKI from the inception of an electronic bibliographic database to May 2021. Eligibility criteria included the following: study designs—observational (e.g., longitudinal or cross-sectional studies) and experimental studies; study subjects—people of all ages; exposures—green space (e.g., parks, vegetation areas, open green fields); outcomes—leisure-time and work/school-related PA (e.g., active commuting); and country—China. All but two studies identified at least one measure of green space to be associated with PA. Street greenness was associated with increased odds of active commuting (e.g., cycling) and walking, and a reduced risk of physical inactivity. Access to green space was associated with increased PA levels and green space usage. Distance to green space was inversely associated with the odds of PA. By contrast, evidence linking overall greenness exposure to PA remains limited. Future studies adopting experimental study design are warranted to establish more robust scientific evidence of causality between green space and PA in China. Future studies are also warranted to examine the underlining mechanisms and the differential impacts of green space on population subgroups in China.

Keywords: green space; parks; exercise; physical activity; China; review (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (5)

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