Socioecological Correlates of Park-based Physical Activity in Older Adults: A Comparison of Hong Kong and Leipzig Parks

• Main Authors: Ru Zhang, Yanping Duan, Walter Brehm, Petra Wagner
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2019-08-01
• Series: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
• Subjects: park-based physical activity; older adults; socioecological model; urban parks; active living; perceived park environment
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/16/17/3048

Aims: The present study aimed to examine and compare the socioecological correlates of park-based physical activity (PA) among Hong Kong and Leipzig older adults in terms of types of activity areas, perceived park environment, psychosocial factors, and the interactions between the perceived park environmental and psychosocial factors. Methods: Based on the SOPARC, systematic observations were conducted in six randomly selected urban parks in each city. A total of 317 Hong Kong (<i>M</i>_age = 69.96; <i>SD</i> = 6.81) and 311 Leipzig (<i>M</i>_age = 72.06; <i>SD</i> = 6.78) older adults from these six parks completed an interviewer-delivered survey measuring their perceived park environment, psychosocial variables, and park-based PA. Results: In both cities, the types of activity areas were positively associated with the number of older adults observed being active in parks. Psychosocial factors, especially self-efficacy and perceived barriers, had larger associations with park-based PA compared with the perceived park environment. The interaction between perceived park features and self-efficacy in the association with park-based PA was found in Leipzig, but not in Hong Kong. Conclusion: Findings of the current study contribute to the cross-cultural understanding of the socioecological correlates of park-based PA among older adults.