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Outdoor Fitness Equipment Usage Behaviors in Natural Settings

Author

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  • Hsueh-wen Chow

    (Graduate Institute of Physical Education, Health & Leisure Studies, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70101, Taiwan)

  • Dai-Rong Wu

    (Graduate Institute of Physical Education, Health & Leisure Studies, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70101, Taiwan)

Abstract

Outdoor fitness equipment (OFE) areas have become a popular form of built environment infrastructure in public open spaces as a means to improve public health through increased physical activity. However, the benefits of using OFE are not consistent, and several OFE accidents have been reported. In this study, we videotaped how OFE users operate OFE in parks and selected four types of popular OFE (the waist twister, air walker, ski machine, and waist/back massager) for video content analysis. Furthermore, we established coding schemes and compared results with the instructions provided by OFE manufacturers. The results revealed various usage behaviors for the same OFE types. In addition, we observed that a significant portion of user behaviors did not follow manufacturers’ instructions, which might pose potential risks or actually cause injuries. Children are especially prone to act improperly. This study provides empirical evidence indicating the existence of potential safety risks due to inappropriate usage behaviors that might lead to accidents and injuries while using OFE. This study provides crucial information that can be used to evaluate the effectiveness of OFE and to develop future park or open space initiatives.

Suggested Citation

  • Hsueh-wen Chow & Dai-Rong Wu, 2019. "Outdoor Fitness Equipment Usage Behaviors in Natural Settings," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(3), pages 1-18, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:16:y:2019:i:3:p:391-:d:202079
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ferdinand, A.O. & Sen, B. & Rahurkar, S. & Engler, S. & Menachemi, N., 2012. "The relationship between built environments and physical activity: A systematic review," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 102(10), pages 7-13.
    2. Hsueh-wen Chow & Andrew J. Mowen & Guan-lin Wu, 2017. "Who Is Using Outdoor Fitness Equipment and How? The Case of Xihu Park," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(4), pages 1-12, April.
    3. Rodrigo Mora, 2012. "Moving Bodies: Open Gyms and Physical Activity in Santiago," Journal of Urban Design, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 17(4), pages 485-497.
    4. Sallis, J.F. & Conway, T.L. & Prochaska, J.J. & McKenzie, T.L. & Marshall, S.J. & Brown, M., 2001. "The association of school environments with youth physical activity," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 91(4), pages 618-620.
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    Cited by:

    1. Zhiling Chen & Xinghong Dai & Zhigang Tan, 2023. "Artificial Intelligence Analysis of Outdoor Sports Risk Self-Assessment on Insurance Psychology," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(4), pages 1-14, February.
    2. Hsueh-Wen Chow & Kun-Tang Chang & I-Yao Fang, 2021. "Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Outdoor Fitness Equipment Intervention in Achieving Fitness Goals for Seniors," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(23), pages 1-16, November.
    3. Rosario Padial-Ruz & Mª Esther Puga-González & Álvaro Céspedes-Jiménez & David Cabello-Manrique, 2021. "Determining Factors in the Use of Urban Parks That Influence the Practice of Physical Activity in Children: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(7), pages 1-23, March.
    4. Mojgan Sami & Megan Smith & Oladele A. Ogunseitan, 2020. "Placement of Outdoor Exercise Equipment and Physical Activity: A Quasi-Experimental Study in Two Parks in Southern California," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(7), pages 1-11, April.
    5. Ling Zhang & Kebin Shao & Wenfeng Tang & Stephen Siu Yu Lau & Hongzhan Lai & Yiqi Tao, 2023. "Outdoor Space Elements in Urban Residential Areas in Shenzhen, China: Optimization Based on Health-Promoting Behaviours of Older People," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(6), pages 1-23, May.
    6. Moogoor, Adithi & Močnik, Špela & Yuen, Belinda, 2022. "Neighbourhood environmental influences on older adults’ physical activities and social participation in Singapore: A photovoice study," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 310(C).
    7. Keyi Liu & Xia Zhang & Danning Xu, 2023. "Research on Community Fitness Spaces under the Guidance of the National Fitness Program," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(17), pages 1-20, September.

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