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Bianconi A, Masini A, Sanmarchi F, Toselli S, Grigoletto A, Marini S, Barone G, Pinelli E, Zinno R, Mauro M, Pilone PL, Arduini S, Vitiello M, Vicentini B, Boldrini G, Musti MA, Pandolfi P, Liberti M, Astorino G, Latessa PM, Bragonzoni L, Dallolio L. Participants Characteristics of a Park-Based Physical Activity Intervention in an Urban Context-A Cross-Sectional Study in Bologna, Italy. Healthcare (Basel) 2023; 11:2287. [PMID: 37628485 PMCID: PMC10454791 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare11162287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2023] [Revised: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Physical inactivity, a leading risk factor for chronic diseases and premature death, is prevalent worldwide. This study focuses on participant profiles and factors influencing continued participation and physical activity (PA) levels in the "Moving Parks" PA intervention in Bologna, Italy. This intervention offers free group activities in city parks during the summer. A questionnaire was administered to participants in 2022, gathering data on socio-demographic information, chronic diseases, participation in previous iterations, and PA levels. Out of 596 respondents, 85% were women, and the average age was 50. About 56% held a university degree, and 73% exercised regularly in the winter. Continuous participation was linked to older age, higher education, and chronic conditions. Prior participation predicted higher winter PA levels. Notably, the majority of participants were educated, physically active women. While the project continually engages individuals with higher education and chronic conditions, it needs further tailoring to reach less represented populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Bianconi
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (A.B.); (A.M.); (S.T.); (A.G.); (L.D.)
| | - Alice Masini
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (A.B.); (A.M.); (S.T.); (A.G.); (L.D.)
| | - Francesco Sanmarchi
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (A.B.); (A.M.); (S.T.); (A.G.); (L.D.)
| | - Stefania Toselli
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (A.B.); (A.M.); (S.T.); (A.G.); (L.D.)
| | - Alessia Grigoletto
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (A.B.); (A.M.); (S.T.); (A.G.); (L.D.)
| | - Sofia Marini
- Department of Life Quality Studies, University of Bologna, 47921 Rimini, Italy; (S.M.); (G.B.); (E.P.); (R.Z.); (M.M.); (P.M.L.); (L.B.)
| | - Giuseppe Barone
- Department of Life Quality Studies, University of Bologna, 47921 Rimini, Italy; (S.M.); (G.B.); (E.P.); (R.Z.); (M.M.); (P.M.L.); (L.B.)
| | - Erika Pinelli
- Department of Life Quality Studies, University of Bologna, 47921 Rimini, Italy; (S.M.); (G.B.); (E.P.); (R.Z.); (M.M.); (P.M.L.); (L.B.)
| | - Raffaele Zinno
- Department of Life Quality Studies, University of Bologna, 47921 Rimini, Italy; (S.M.); (G.B.); (E.P.); (R.Z.); (M.M.); (P.M.L.); (L.B.)
| | - Mario Mauro
- Department of Life Quality Studies, University of Bologna, 47921 Rimini, Italy; (S.M.); (G.B.); (E.P.); (R.Z.); (M.M.); (P.M.L.); (L.B.)
| | - Pietro Loro Pilone
- Department of Public Health, AUSL di Bologna, 40124 Bologna, Italy; (P.L.P.); (S.A.); (M.V.); (M.A.M.); (P.P.); (M.L.); (G.A.)
| | - Sonia Arduini
- Department of Public Health, AUSL di Bologna, 40124 Bologna, Italy; (P.L.P.); (S.A.); (M.V.); (M.A.M.); (P.P.); (M.L.); (G.A.)
| | - Mauro Vitiello
- Department of Public Health, AUSL di Bologna, 40124 Bologna, Italy; (P.L.P.); (S.A.); (M.V.); (M.A.M.); (P.P.); (M.L.); (G.A.)
| | - Bruno Vicentini
- Culture and City Promotion Department, Municipality of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (B.V.); (G.B.)
| | - Giorgia Boldrini
- Culture and City Promotion Department, Municipality of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (B.V.); (G.B.)
| | - Muriel Assunta Musti
- Department of Public Health, AUSL di Bologna, 40124 Bologna, Italy; (P.L.P.); (S.A.); (M.V.); (M.A.M.); (P.P.); (M.L.); (G.A.)
| | - Paolo Pandolfi
- Department of Public Health, AUSL di Bologna, 40124 Bologna, Italy; (P.L.P.); (S.A.); (M.V.); (M.A.M.); (P.P.); (M.L.); (G.A.)
| | - Maurizio Liberti
- Department of Public Health, AUSL di Bologna, 40124 Bologna, Italy; (P.L.P.); (S.A.); (M.V.); (M.A.M.); (P.P.); (M.L.); (G.A.)
| | - Gerardo Astorino
- Department of Public Health, AUSL di Bologna, 40124 Bologna, Italy; (P.L.P.); (S.A.); (M.V.); (M.A.M.); (P.P.); (M.L.); (G.A.)
| | - Pasqualino Maietta Latessa
- Department of Life Quality Studies, University of Bologna, 47921 Rimini, Italy; (S.M.); (G.B.); (E.P.); (R.Z.); (M.M.); (P.M.L.); (L.B.)
| | - Laura Bragonzoni
- Department of Life Quality Studies, University of Bologna, 47921 Rimini, Italy; (S.M.); (G.B.); (E.P.); (R.Z.); (M.M.); (P.M.L.); (L.B.)
| | - Laura Dallolio
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (A.B.); (A.M.); (S.T.); (A.G.); (L.D.)
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Grigoletto A, Mauro M, Toselli S. Evaluation of the Effectiveness of a Nordic Walking and a Resistance Indoor Training Program: Anthropometric, Body Composition, and Functional Parameters in the Middle-Aged Population. J Funct Morphol Kinesiol 2023; 8:79. [PMID: 37367243 DOI: 10.3390/jfmk8020079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Revised: 05/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Sedentary behaviors are increasing in the population, so strategies for the increment of physical activity levels are needed. The use of green space seems to be a valid support to be more active. The present study aimed to compare the effectiveness of a period of outdoor training (Nordic walking (NW)) with indoor resistance training (GYM) in a nonclinical population based on anthropometric characteristics, body composition, and functional parameters. This study was conducted on 102 participants (77 middle-aged people performed NW and 25 performed indoor training). Participants were measured twice: at baseline and after three months. Anthropometric measurements (weight, BMI, skinfolds, perimeters), body composition, bioelectrical impedance, vectorial analysis (BIA and BIVA), and physical tests were carried out. A two-way repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed to evaluate the effect of the treatments, groups, and sexes. There were several intervention effects linked to a decrease in fat parameters (such as skinfolds, fat mass, and percentage of fat mass). Considering the type of intervention, NW showed a higher increase in muscle mass and a higher decrease in fat parameters than the GYM group. In conclusion, the two types of training could represent a good way to remain active and prevent sedentary behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessia Grigoletto
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Via Selmi 3, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Mario Mauro
- Department for Life Quality Studies, University of Bologna, 47921 Rimini, Italy
| | - Stefania Toselli
- Department for Life Quality Studies, University of Bologna, 47921 Rimini, Italy
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Residential Characteristics as Factors Related to Healthy Behavior Practices-Decision Tree Model Analysis Using a Community Health Survey from Korea. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19127390. [PMID: 35742638 PMCID: PMC9223632 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19127390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2022] [Revised: 06/13/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
In this study, we sought to identify relevant factors in healthy behavior practices, including not only individual-level variables but also regional and physical environments. Data from the Korea Community Health Survey (KCHS) of Gyeongsangnam-do in 2018 were used, with data from 16,519 of the 17,947 individuals (excluding 1428 individuals who had missing values) who participated in the survey. Healthy behavior practices were defined as meeting the criteria for all three modifiable healthy behaviors (non-smoking, moderate alcohol consumption, regular walking). A decision tree analysis was performed. In men, healthy behavior practices were lower in the unemployed population, in those aged 40−50 years, living in rural residential areas, and with stress. For women who lived in areas with small populations (<100,000 population), healthy behavior practices were below-average. Men and women who had below-average healthy behavior practices reported poor access to places for exercise and fair or poor self-rated health statuses. It is necessary to implement a health behavior practice intervention that considers not only individual characteristics but also access to local exercise facilities and residential area characteristics (urban, rural). Since age is an important variable in healthy behaviors for both men and women, customized programs that consider age should be provided.
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Effect of a Park-Based Physical Activity Intervention on Psychological Wellbeing at the Time of COVID-19. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19106028. [PMID: 35627565 PMCID: PMC9140357 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19106028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Revised: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Practicing regular physical activity in green spaces has been invocated as a promising strategy for improving wellbeing in urban settings. The aim of the study was to assess the effect of a structured park-based physical activity intervention, the “Moving Parks” project, on citizens’ wellbeing at the time of COVID-19. The intervention was carried out in six public parks in Bologna (Italy) and administered by qualified instructors (from May 2021 to September 2021). The Psychological General Well Being Index short form questionnaire was administered before and after the three months of outdoor activities. A total of 328 participants completed the questionnaire at the beginning and at the end of the project. In September 2021, all psychosocial domains of the questionnaire (anxiety, depressed mood, self-control, positive well-being, vitality energy, and vitality-tiredness) significantly improved in the female sample (p value < 0.01) and only the last two in the male sample (p value < 0.05). The “Moving Parks” project seems to be able to improve citizens’ psychological wellbeing, particularly in women.
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