The Effect of Built Environment on Older People Leisure-Time Walking and Physical Activity in Different Sex Groups in the City of Ningbo, China

Chuang Gao, Jiabin Yu, Xiaoguang Zhao, Haibao Wang, Zhiyong Liu and Yaodong Gu
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Chuang Gao: Faculty of Sport Science, Research Academy of Grand Health, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China
Jiabin Yu: Faculty of Sport Science, Research Academy of Grand Health, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China
Xiaoguang Zhao: Faculty of Sport Science, Research Academy of Grand Health, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China
Haibao Wang: Faculty of Sport Science, Research Academy of Grand Health, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China
Zhiyong Liu: Faculty of Sport Science, Research Academy of Grand Health, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China
Yaodong Gu: Faculty of Sport Science, Research Academy of Grand Health, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 11, 1-10

Abstract: The aim of this study was to examine the effect of built environment (BE) elements on older people’s (OP) leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) and leisure-time walking (LTW) level in the city of Ningbo. Older participants numbering 312 were randomly recruited using cross-sectional survey in 2019. International Physical Activity Questionnaire-short version (IPAQ-S) and Neighborhood Environment Walkability Scale—abbreviated (NEWS-A)—were used to gather LTPA data and the perceive scores of BE, respectively. Liner regression analysis was performed to investigate the association relationship between the perceived scores of BE and OP’s LTW and LTPA. The study’s results showed that, when not considering different sex groups, OP’s LTW was significantly related with the perceived scores of access to services (AE, p = 0.045), walking/cycling facilities (W/CF, p = 0.007), aesthetics, and land use mix diversity (LUMD, p = 0.04). OP’s LTPA was significantly related with AE ( p = 0.04) and aesthetics ( p < 0.001). The association relationships of BE with LTW and LTPA varied in different sex groups. Three elements (AE, W/CF, and LUMD) and one element (pedestrian/traffic safety and P/TS) of BE were found be related with older male and older female’s LTW, respectively. One element (aesthetics) and two elements (aesthetics, LUMD) of BE were found be related with older male and older female’s LTPA, respectively. The results indicated that the effects of BE on OP’s LTW and the effects of BE on OP’s LTPA were different. The effect also varied in different sex groups. More studies are needed to confirm the effect of BE on OP’s LTW and LTPA in different sex groups to globally enrich the scientific data base.

Keywords: recreation; sex factors; aged; regression analysis (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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