Increasing physical activity in the community setting

James E Peterman; Steven Loy; Joshua Carlos; Ross Arena; Leonard A Kaminsky

doi:10.1016/j.pcad.2020.10.008

Increasing physical activity in the community setting

Prog Cardiovasc Dis. 2021 Jan-Feb:64:27-32. doi: 10.1016/j.pcad.2020.10.008. Epub 2020 Oct 29.

Authors

James E Peterman¹, Steven Loy², Joshua Carlos², Ross Arena³, Leonard A Kaminsky⁴

Affiliations

¹ Fisher Institute of Health and Well-Being, College of Health, Ball State University, Muncie, IN, United States; Healthy Living for Pandemic Event Protection (HL - PIVOT) Network, Chicago, IL, United States.
² Department of Kinesiology, California State University Northridge, Northridge, CA, United States; Healthy Living for Pandemic Event Protection (HL - PIVOT) Network, Chicago, IL, United States.
³ Healthy Living for Pandemic Event Protection (HL - PIVOT) Network, Chicago, IL, United States; Department of Physical Therapy, College of Applied Science, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States.
⁴ Fisher Institute of Health and Well-Being, College of Health, Ball State University, Muncie, IN, United States; Healthy Living for Pandemic Event Protection (HL - PIVOT) Network, Chicago, IL, United States. Electronic address: kaminskyla@bsu.edu.

PMID: 33130191
DOI: 10.1016/j.pcad.2020.10.008

Abstract

Physical activity (PA) is beneficial for both mental and physical health, yet many individuals do not meet PA recommendations. There are a multitude of approaches to increase levels of PA and the role of the community is one area of growing interest. This review discusses the community environment as well as programs within the community and their influence on PA levels. Despite some research limitations, there are clear factors associated with community-based PA. Strategies that improve the built environment along with community-based programs have shown success, although differences between the characteristics of communities can mean strategies to promote PA are not universally effective. Additional research is needed on effective strategies that can be tailored to the characteristics of the community to increase PA. Further, public health interventions and policies should consider the role of the community when aiming to increase PA levels.

Keywords: Community-based; Exercise; Health promotion; Physical inactivity.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Exercise / physiology*
Health Promotion / methods*
Humans
Public Health*