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Take a walk in the park ? A cross-over pilot trial comparing brisk walking in two different environments : park and urban . OBJECTIVE The objective of the present study is to investigate whether differences exist between a 30 minute brisk walk taken in two different environments in order to determine which environment best facilitates current physical activity guidelines : park or urban . METHODS In this randomised cross-over pilot study , participants performed a self-timed 30 minute brisk walk in two different environments , park and urban , in Glasgow , Scotland ( October 2009 to January 2010 ) . Cadence , recorded using the activPAL™ activity monitor , was used to measure intensity . Outcome measures were : mean cadence ; moderate-to-vigorous physical activity time accumulated in bouts lasting ≥ 10 min ; number of walking breaks ; and duration . RESULTS A convenience sample of 40 healthy adults was recruited : 16 males , 24 females , mean age 22.9 ( 5.5 ) years . The mean cadence for the whole walk was higher in the park : 119.3 ( 8.3 ) vs. 110.9 ( 8.9 ) steps/min . Participants accumulated more moderate-to-vigorous physical activity in ≥ 10 minute bouts during park walks : 25.5 ( 9.6 ) [ median ( interquartile range ) ] vs. 14.0 ( 20.3 ) min . There was no difference in self-timed duration between locations . CONCLUSION Participants accumulated more moderate-to-vigorous physical activity in bouts ≥ 10 min in duration on park walks due to the lack of interruptions in walking . Hence the park environment better facilitated the achievement of current physical activity guidelines . Further research involving a larger , more heterogeneous sample is recommended .
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Intervention_Physical
brisk walking in two different environments :
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Intervention_Physical
30 minute brisk walk
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Intervention_Physical
self-timed 30 minute brisk walk in two different environments , park and urban
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Outcome_Physical
Cadence
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Participant_Condition
brisk walk
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Participant_Sample-size
40
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Participant_Condition
healthy
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Participant_Age
adults
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Participant_Sex
16 males
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Participant_Sex
24 females
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Participant_Age
mean age 22.9 ( 5.5 ) years