- Email: [email protected]
Activating a whole community. Beat the Street
Saturday 18 October Papers / Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport 18S (2014) e136–e162
examined for their ability to provide insight into side-step-cutting performance. Results: Variations were seen between thigh and shank angular velocity variables between cutting conditions; and in the accelerations of body segments from individual cutting performances, particularly at the trunk and sacrum. Examination of IMU-derived sagittal plane hip and knee joint angles revealed similar temporal patterns and values to previous research examining comparable side-step cutting motions. Discussion: Metrics derived directly from IMU outputs appeared sensitive to different movement patterns, and therefore may be useful for identifying high- versus low-risk side-step cutting performances. While IMUs can provide estimates of joint angles during a cutting manoeuvre, these are yet to be assessed for accuracy, and certain limitations surrounding how these are derived may restrict their use in practical situations. Future work should focus on linking these IMU-derived metrics to known injury risk factors to enhance our understanding of how IMUs can be used to analyse side-step cutting manoeuvres in field environments. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jsams.2014.11.149 24 Neighborhood social environment, perceived safety and physical activity among women living in disadvantaged neighborhoods. A mediation analysis A. Timperio ∗ , J. Veitch, A. Carver Deakin University, Australia Background: The social environment within neighbourhoods may be an important influence women’s physical activity. However, the mechanisms by which the social environment may influence physical activity have not been explored. Although it is likely that social conditions influence feelings of safety, many studies include perceived safety within aggregate scores of the social environment. The purpose of this study is to examine associations between the neighbourhood social environment and leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) among women, and whether these associations are mediated by perceived personal safety. Methods: This paper is based on cross-sectional data from the READI study. Women (n = 3784) living in disadvantaged urban and rural neighborhoods completed a survey on social environment variables, perceived personal safety and their LTPA and walking behavior in a usual week. The IPAQ-L was used to assess LTPA and walking, both of which were dichotomized (<150 min/week vs ≥150 min/week). Social environment variables included items regarding violence, crime, seeing others walking or exercising and social trust/cohesions within the neighbourhood. Linear regression analyses examined associations between the social environment and physical activity. Potential mediating pathways were assessed using MacKinnon’s product-of-coefficients test. Results: All social environment variables were positively associated with engaging in at least 150 min/week of LTPA. A perceived lack of violence (OR = 1.16), safety from crime (OR = 1.18), seeing others walking (OR = 1.38) and exercising (OR = 1.56) and social trust/cohesion score (OR = 1.28) were associated with higher odds of sufficient LTPA. Perceived personal safety mediated each of these associations (ab-paths were statistically significant). Results were less consistent for walking ≥150 min/week; only seeing other people walking (OR = 1.45) and exercising (OR = 1.31) were significantly associated with walking. However, perceived personal safety
e145
mediated associations with walking for each social environment variable (ab-paths were statistically significant). Discussion: This study has shown that perceived crime, violence, social norms for physical activity and social trust/cohesion influence women’s feelings of safety, which in turn is associated with less LTPA and walking. Perceived personal safety is a separate construct though which social conditions operate, and should not be included in composite or aggregate scores relating to the social conditions. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jsams.2014.11.150 25 Activating a whole community. Beat the Street W. Bird Intelligent Health, Australia It has been suggested that walking is ‘the perfect exercise’. It is accessible to nearly everyone, free of cost, low impact and low risk. Studies have shown it to be effective in reducing the risk of many chronic illnesses from cardiovascular disease to depression. Physical activity projects aimed at improving health are typically targeted at segments of a community. Beat the Street is a walking project that activated a whole community using the latest innovation in walking technology – the ‘walk tracking unit’ or ‘beat box’ and RFID ‘smartcards’. This project builds on Intelligent Health’s Beat the Street Global School Walking Challenge which demonstrated a 20% increase in walking in students aged between 11 and 13 across four countries and 12 schools. Beat the Street Caversham however, involves the whole community and reached out to the 30,000 residents of Caversham, near Reading, UK, inviting them to take part in a competition to walk more and to help raise money for books for local schools. It was designed to meet the objectives of the UK Government’s Department of Transport Local Sustainable Transport Fund: reducing congestion, improving air quality and promoting economic growth while conveying health benefits associated with active travel and walking in particular. The project was promoted through schools, doctors’ surgeries, local business and community groups and local media. This pilot was designed as a feasibility project to ascertain how the technology could be used across a whole community and whether the concept engaged sufficient people to have an impact. The evaluation methodology consisted of analysing data generated by the RFID card swipes from individuals and an exit survey with a sample of 1300 adults, along with qualitative feedback from participants. Over three months from June to September 2013, 5651 people, of which 2627 were schoolchildren, took part in the project (approx. 20% of the population), collectively achieving an estimated total distance covered of 50,000 miles (or 80,000 kilometres). A total of 255,015 ‘valid journeys’ were logged. A ‘valid journey’ consisted of a swipe on two different beat boxes within an hour. Beat boxes were place approximately 0.3 of a mile apart. The main motivations reported by people for taking part included ‘having fun’ and ‘winning points’. In addition, people 67% reported walking more as a result of Beat the Street and 80% said they would continue with the changes they had made to the way they get around. The project is now being rolled out to the 180,000 residents of Reading, UK in May 2014, jointly funded by the Clinical Commissioning Group and local authority transport and public health teams. Similar projects are planned in six other cities in the UK
e146
Saturday 18 October Papers / Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport 18S (2014) e136–e162
and Europe. The Reading-wide project will be evaluated to measure impact on physical activity and modal choice. Preliminary results, including baseline and 3 month follow-up, will be available for October 2014. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jsams.2014.11.151 26 A partnership approach to developing urban design guidance for physical activity – The Healthy Active by Design Project T. Shilton 1,2,∗ , F. Bull 2 , J. Appleby 1 , P. Hooper 2 , R. Crook 3 , C. Melsom 3 1
National Heart Foundation, Australia University of Western Australia, Australia 3 Hassell, Australia 2
Introduction: Effective design can make a difference to how people use buildings, open spaces and move around communities and can provide much needed solutions to getting more people more active. The Healthy Active by Design Project aimed to assist urban planners to better make allowance for health factors in their design decision making. The project sought to provide clear guidance and practical tools, developed in partnership, to assist planners to integrate health-related evidence into planning policy and practice. Methods: Healthy Active by Design (HABD) is a web-based urban planning tool providing end users with access to the latest scientific evidence on the health impact of the built environment. It includes design specifications, case studies, examples, policy links, tools and checklists for planners. HABD was developed in three phases: (1) policy scoping, desktop review and stakeholder consultation; (2) design, development and production; and (3) implementation, dissemination and evaluation. Results: The final HABD tool covers nine design features which were selected based on available evidence and alignment with planning policies. HABD was developed in partnership with the Heart Foundation and the Western Australian Departments of Planning, Transport, Health, Sport and Recreation and other academic and industry stakeholders. Each design feature is expanded to include evidence, policy connects, case studies, examples and tools/checklists as well as comprehensive references. Discussion: HABD is a good example of health in all policies, of partnership among researchers, health professionals and government policy makers. HABD was launched in March 2014 and the implementation plan includes web enhancement and maintenance, ongoing advocacy, professional development and training. Evaluation of the diffusion of HABD within the planning sector will be assessed as part of the work plan.
ever before, it is now more important than ever that those who are tasked with planning our cities understand the role the built environment plays in the health and well being of its citizens and their role in creating that environment. But just what do urban planners know about health? Methods: Forty three (n = 43) urban planners working in government, private and non-government organisations were recruited via snowball sampling to participate in qualitative interviews using an interprtivist paradigm where they are seen as the expert in their field. Participants were provided with a background paper identifying eleven potential health impacts of climate change. All interviews were digitally recorded and key components of the answers were transcribed. Other components were recorded and summarised but not transcribed verbatim. A matrix of key impacts was developed and thematically analysed by hand. Participants’ responses attitudes to the role of urban planners in responding to the likely health impacts were categorised into four domains. Domains were determined using a tally of participant answers as well as more subjective determinants including the length and nature of answers provided to the questions: Domain (1) the interpreters and followers; Domain (2) the systems work; Domain (3) the interested but unaware; and Domain (4) the leaders and change merchants. Results: Five (n = 5) planners were identified in Domain 1, all were from private practice. Five (n = 5) planners were identified in Domain 2, four were from government and 1 from Private Practice. 27 planners were identified in Domain 3, with 16 from Government, nine (9) from Private Practice and one (1) from a Non-Government Organisation. Seven (7) planners were identified in Domain 4, five (5) from Government and two (2) from Non-Government Organisations. Discussion: These results indicate that while there are some who are leading health advocates within the urban planning profession, the majority of urban planners are either unaware or do not consider health to be a key part of their everyday work. Without changing attitudes, ongoing professional development and, in some cases, codifying physical activity guidelines into development plans, Australian cities risk continuing being planed around physical inactivity. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jsams.2014.11.153 28 REVAMP: A natural experiment to examine the impact of park renewal on park-use and park-based physical activity J. Veitch 1,∗ , J. Salmon 1 , A. Carver 1 , D. Crawford 1 , B. Giles-Corti 2 , A. Timperio 1 1 2
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jsams.2014.11.152 27 Building cities for physical inactivity? What do urban planners understand about their role in public health and physical activity A. Burton 1,2 1 2
Heart Foundation (ACT), Australia University of Western Sydney, Australia
Background: The built environment plays a crucial role in physical activity levels in the population. With an ageing population, expanding rates of obesity and more people are living in cities than
Deakin University, Australia The University of Melbourne, Australia
Background: Natural experiments are a research priority for investigating causal associations between the built environment and physical activity; however, they are rarely conducted. Parks are important settings for physical activity and opportunities to conduct natural experiments in this setting are critical. REVAMP is a natural experiment study funded by an ARC Linkage Grant. It aims to examine whether park improvement increases overall park usage, park-based physical activity and active travel to and from the park in the intervention compared with the control park over a two-year period; and to identify which specific aspects of the park refurbishment attracts park visitors and encourages park users to be more active. This presentation will describe the methods of the REVAMP study and present baseline data on park usage.
examined for their ability to provide insight into side-step-cutting performance. Results: Variations were seen between thigh and shank angular velocity variables between cutting conditions; and in the accelerations of body segments from individual cutting performances, particularly at the trunk and sacrum. Examination of IMU-derived sagittal plane hip and knee joint angles revealed similar temporal patterns and values to previous research examining comparable side-step cutting motions. Discussion: Metrics derived directly from IMU outputs appeared sensitive to different movement patterns, and therefore may be useful for identifying high- versus low-risk side-step cutting performances. While IMUs can provide estimates of joint angles during a cutting manoeuvre, these are yet to be assessed for accuracy, and certain limitations surrounding how these are derived may restrict their use in practical situations. Future work should focus on linking these IMU-derived metrics to known injury risk factors to enhance our understanding of how IMUs can be used to analyse side-step cutting manoeuvres in field environments. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jsams.2014.11.149 24 Neighborhood social environment, perceived safety and physical activity among women living in disadvantaged neighborhoods. A mediation analysis A. Timperio ∗ , J. Veitch, A. Carver Deakin University, Australia Background: The social environment within neighbourhoods may be an important influence women’s physical activity. However, the mechanisms by which the social environment may influence physical activity have not been explored. Although it is likely that social conditions influence feelings of safety, many studies include perceived safety within aggregate scores of the social environment. The purpose of this study is to examine associations between the neighbourhood social environment and leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) among women, and whether these associations are mediated by perceived personal safety. Methods: This paper is based on cross-sectional data from the READI study. Women (n = 3784) living in disadvantaged urban and rural neighborhoods completed a survey on social environment variables, perceived personal safety and their LTPA and walking behavior in a usual week. The IPAQ-L was used to assess LTPA and walking, both of which were dichotomized (<150 min/week vs ≥150 min/week). Social environment variables included items regarding violence, crime, seeing others walking or exercising and social trust/cohesions within the neighbourhood. Linear regression analyses examined associations between the social environment and physical activity. Potential mediating pathways were assessed using MacKinnon’s product-of-coefficients test. Results: All social environment variables were positively associated with engaging in at least 150 min/week of LTPA. A perceived lack of violence (OR = 1.16), safety from crime (OR = 1.18), seeing others walking (OR = 1.38) and exercising (OR = 1.56) and social trust/cohesion score (OR = 1.28) were associated with higher odds of sufficient LTPA. Perceived personal safety mediated each of these associations (ab-paths were statistically significant). Results were less consistent for walking ≥150 min/week; only seeing other people walking (OR = 1.45) and exercising (OR = 1.31) were significantly associated with walking. However, perceived personal safety
e145
mediated associations with walking for each social environment variable (ab-paths were statistically significant). Discussion: This study has shown that perceived crime, violence, social norms for physical activity and social trust/cohesion influence women’s feelings of safety, which in turn is associated with less LTPA and walking. Perceived personal safety is a separate construct though which social conditions operate, and should not be included in composite or aggregate scores relating to the social conditions. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jsams.2014.11.150 25 Activating a whole community. Beat the Street W. Bird Intelligent Health, Australia It has been suggested that walking is ‘the perfect exercise’. It is accessible to nearly everyone, free of cost, low impact and low risk. Studies have shown it to be effective in reducing the risk of many chronic illnesses from cardiovascular disease to depression. Physical activity projects aimed at improving health are typically targeted at segments of a community. Beat the Street is a walking project that activated a whole community using the latest innovation in walking technology – the ‘walk tracking unit’ or ‘beat box’ and RFID ‘smartcards’. This project builds on Intelligent Health’s Beat the Street Global School Walking Challenge which demonstrated a 20% increase in walking in students aged between 11 and 13 across four countries and 12 schools. Beat the Street Caversham however, involves the whole community and reached out to the 30,000 residents of Caversham, near Reading, UK, inviting them to take part in a competition to walk more and to help raise money for books for local schools. It was designed to meet the objectives of the UK Government’s Department of Transport Local Sustainable Transport Fund: reducing congestion, improving air quality and promoting economic growth while conveying health benefits associated with active travel and walking in particular. The project was promoted through schools, doctors’ surgeries, local business and community groups and local media. This pilot was designed as a feasibility project to ascertain how the technology could be used across a whole community and whether the concept engaged sufficient people to have an impact. The evaluation methodology consisted of analysing data generated by the RFID card swipes from individuals and an exit survey with a sample of 1300 adults, along with qualitative feedback from participants. Over three months from June to September 2013, 5651 people, of which 2627 were schoolchildren, took part in the project (approx. 20% of the population), collectively achieving an estimated total distance covered of 50,000 miles (or 80,000 kilometres). A total of 255,015 ‘valid journeys’ were logged. A ‘valid journey’ consisted of a swipe on two different beat boxes within an hour. Beat boxes were place approximately 0.3 of a mile apart. The main motivations reported by people for taking part included ‘having fun’ and ‘winning points’. In addition, people 67% reported walking more as a result of Beat the Street and 80% said they would continue with the changes they had made to the way they get around. The project is now being rolled out to the 180,000 residents of Reading, UK in May 2014, jointly funded by the Clinical Commissioning Group and local authority transport and public health teams. Similar projects are planned in six other cities in the UK
e146
Saturday 18 October Papers / Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport 18S (2014) e136–e162
and Europe. The Reading-wide project will be evaluated to measure impact on physical activity and modal choice. Preliminary results, including baseline and 3 month follow-up, will be available for October 2014. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jsams.2014.11.151 26 A partnership approach to developing urban design guidance for physical activity – The Healthy Active by Design Project T. Shilton 1,2,∗ , F. Bull 2 , J. Appleby 1 , P. Hooper 2 , R. Crook 3 , C. Melsom 3 1
National Heart Foundation, Australia University of Western Australia, Australia 3 Hassell, Australia 2
Introduction: Effective design can make a difference to how people use buildings, open spaces and move around communities and can provide much needed solutions to getting more people more active. The Healthy Active by Design Project aimed to assist urban planners to better make allowance for health factors in their design decision making. The project sought to provide clear guidance and practical tools, developed in partnership, to assist planners to integrate health-related evidence into planning policy and practice. Methods: Healthy Active by Design (HABD) is a web-based urban planning tool providing end users with access to the latest scientific evidence on the health impact of the built environment. It includes design specifications, case studies, examples, policy links, tools and checklists for planners. HABD was developed in three phases: (1) policy scoping, desktop review and stakeholder consultation; (2) design, development and production; and (3) implementation, dissemination and evaluation. Results: The final HABD tool covers nine design features which were selected based on available evidence and alignment with planning policies. HABD was developed in partnership with the Heart Foundation and the Western Australian Departments of Planning, Transport, Health, Sport and Recreation and other academic and industry stakeholders. Each design feature is expanded to include evidence, policy connects, case studies, examples and tools/checklists as well as comprehensive references. Discussion: HABD is a good example of health in all policies, of partnership among researchers, health professionals and government policy makers. HABD was launched in March 2014 and the implementation plan includes web enhancement and maintenance, ongoing advocacy, professional development and training. Evaluation of the diffusion of HABD within the planning sector will be assessed as part of the work plan.
ever before, it is now more important than ever that those who are tasked with planning our cities understand the role the built environment plays in the health and well being of its citizens and their role in creating that environment. But just what do urban planners know about health? Methods: Forty three (n = 43) urban planners working in government, private and non-government organisations were recruited via snowball sampling to participate in qualitative interviews using an interprtivist paradigm where they are seen as the expert in their field. Participants were provided with a background paper identifying eleven potential health impacts of climate change. All interviews were digitally recorded and key components of the answers were transcribed. Other components were recorded and summarised but not transcribed verbatim. A matrix of key impacts was developed and thematically analysed by hand. Participants’ responses attitudes to the role of urban planners in responding to the likely health impacts were categorised into four domains. Domains were determined using a tally of participant answers as well as more subjective determinants including the length and nature of answers provided to the questions: Domain (1) the interpreters and followers; Domain (2) the systems work; Domain (3) the interested but unaware; and Domain (4) the leaders and change merchants. Results: Five (n = 5) planners were identified in Domain 1, all were from private practice. Five (n = 5) planners were identified in Domain 2, four were from government and 1 from Private Practice. 27 planners were identified in Domain 3, with 16 from Government, nine (9) from Private Practice and one (1) from a Non-Government Organisation. Seven (7) planners were identified in Domain 4, five (5) from Government and two (2) from Non-Government Organisations. Discussion: These results indicate that while there are some who are leading health advocates within the urban planning profession, the majority of urban planners are either unaware or do not consider health to be a key part of their everyday work. Without changing attitudes, ongoing professional development and, in some cases, codifying physical activity guidelines into development plans, Australian cities risk continuing being planed around physical inactivity. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jsams.2014.11.153 28 REVAMP: A natural experiment to examine the impact of park renewal on park-use and park-based physical activity J. Veitch 1,∗ , J. Salmon 1 , A. Carver 1 , D. Crawford 1 , B. Giles-Corti 2 , A. Timperio 1 1 2
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jsams.2014.11.152 27 Building cities for physical inactivity? What do urban planners understand about their role in public health and physical activity A. Burton 1,2 1 2
Heart Foundation (ACT), Australia University of Western Sydney, Australia
Background: The built environment plays a crucial role in physical activity levels in the population. With an ageing population, expanding rates of obesity and more people are living in cities than
Deakin University, Australia The University of Melbourne, Australia
Background: Natural experiments are a research priority for investigating causal associations between the built environment and physical activity; however, they are rarely conducted. Parks are important settings for physical activity and opportunities to conduct natural experiments in this setting are critical. REVAMP is a natural experiment study funded by an ARC Linkage Grant. It aims to examine whether park improvement increases overall park usage, park-based physical activity and active travel to and from the park in the intervention compared with the control park over a two-year period; and to identify which specific aspects of the park refurbishment attracts park visitors and encourages park users to be more active. This presentation will describe the methods of the REVAMP study and present baseline data on park usage.