Annual Meeting Recordings are now available for purchase
309247
Differences in active transportation versus recreational users on a prominent community trail
Monday, November 17, 2014
Sarah Morgan Hughey, MPH
,
Department of Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC
Julian Reed, Ed.D., M.P.H.
,
Department of Health Sciences, Furman University, Greenville, SC
Suresh Mutukrishnan, Ph.D.
,
Department of Earth and Environmental Science, Furman University, Greenville, SC
Stephanie Child, M.P.H.
,
Department of Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC
Morgan Clennin, MPH
,
Arnold School of Public Health, Division of Health Aspects of Physical Activity, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC
Andrew T. Kaczynski, Ph.D.
,
Department of Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC
Background/Purpose:Trails are important community resources that provide low-cost opportunities for physical activity (PA), but studies of trail use have typically focused on recreational PA. Active transportation via trails offers a healthy and environmentally-friendly means of incorporating PA into daily tasks. The purpose of this study was to identify key correlates differentiating active transportation and recreational trail use. Methods: The Greenville Health System Swamp Rabbit Trail is a paved 18.6-mile trail that has become an integral part of connecting people with places in Greenville County, SC. An intercept survey was administered in 2012 to assess trail use patterns. Trail users reported whether they used the trail for recreation or transportation, demographic information, and the nearest cross-streets to their home. Distance from home to where they accessed the trail was calculated in miles. Logistic regression was used to assess correlates of trail use by recreational use versus active transportation. Results: A total of 1,048 trail users completed surveys, 14.2% of whom reported using the trail for active transportation. Trail users were predominately male (62.2%) and Caucasian (89.0%). Men were nearly twice as likely to use the trail for active transportation than females (p<.01), whereas older adults (>35) were half as likely to use the trail for transportation purposes (p<.01) than younger adults. Greater distances from the trail were associated with less likelihood of utilizing the trail for active transportation (p<.05). Conclusions: This study provides valuable information for developing targeted interventions to promote a diversity of uses and users on community trails.
Learning Areas:
Public health or related research
Learning Objectives:
Identify correlates of active transportation among community trail users.
Describe potential mechanisms that may facilitate or impede trail use.
Identify potential solutions for increasing trail use among populations that currently do not engage in trail use.
Keyword(s): Built Environment, Community Development
Presenting author's disclosure statement:Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: As a doctoral student, I am developing expertise in the area of built environment, community health, and physical activity. I have been involved with this trails evaluation project for several years, and I feel confident discussing the history, context, methods, and results for this project.
Any relevant financial relationships? No
I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines,
and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed
in my presentation.
