Developing and Evaluating Objective Measures of
Outdoor Recreational Areas

Environmental approaches to promoting physical activity in youth and
adults show much promise; however, current knowledge regarding
measurement of environmental determinants of physical activity is
quite limited. We are utilizing an interdisciplinary research team to
develop and evaluate objective measures of outdoor walking facilities
in Massachusetts. Methods include use of a Global Positioning System
unit to collect spatial data on trails, additional observations of facility
characteristics with an Access-based audit tool, and integration of
existing Geographic Information Systems data layers. A key product
of this research will be a reliable trail audit tool that can be used to
examine relationships between trail characteristics, use of trails and
participation in physical activity.

Principal Investigator: Philip Troped, PhD, MS
Funder: The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation - Active Living Research Program
Funding Dates: January 1, 2003 - December 31, 2004