Relevance of social and physical environmental influences to physical activity promation

Background A behavioral science-based approach is essential for constructing effective intervention programs to promote the shift from a sedentary to active lifestyle. Recently, the influences of social and physical environment on physical activity have been recognized as key factors for promoting physical activity. The present study attempts to identify the social and physical environmental influences associated with physical activity promotion. Methods We recruited volunteers from a 14,000 population of community-dwelling adults. Seventy-two adults (intervention group : n=35, control group : n=37) participated in the present study. The intervention consisted of 8 sessions for 2 months using The Waseda Walking Program. We assessed social support for exercise, perceived neighborhood environment for walking, stages of change in exercise behavior and physical activity outcomes at baseline and 2 months. Ffifty-seven out of 72 subjects (intervention : n=30, control : n=27) completed all of the intervention including the final questionnaire. Results There were significant intervention effects on physical activity outcomes, stages of change and perceived neighborhood environment. However, no significant improvement in social support was found. In addition, improvement of perceived physical environment was related to an increase in physical activity. Conclusion Perceived neighborhood environment for walking would be identified as a key factor to influence an effect of physical activity promotion. On the other hand, social support would be influenced to the earlier stages of change in exercise.