Work

The perception of the neighborhood environment changes after participation in a pedometer based community intervention

Year: 2012

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate whether the perception of the neighbourhood environment alters when changing the physical activity behaviour through a pedometer intervention. FINDINGS: The intervention was implemented for 15 weeks in a small village in Germany, and was based on the individual baseline activity level. Eighty-two inhabitants participated in the study and completed an environmental questionnaire before and after the intervention. Results showed that after the intervention the participants perceived a lower distance to local facilities, a higher availability of bike lanes and infrastructures, a better maintenance of infrastructure, a better network and a safer traffic situation. CONCLUSION: This suggests that a change in the levels of physical activity merges the levels of exposure to the environment which results in different environmental perceptions.

Source: International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity

DOI: 10.1186/1479-5868-9-33

Authors: Birgit Wallmann, Heleen Spittaels, Ilse De Bourdeaudhuij, Ingo Froboese

Institutions: German Sport University Cologne, Ghent University

Language: English

Topic: Urban Transport and Accessibility

Subfield: Transportation

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Sustainable cities and communities, Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,177