Perception assessment of environmental factors related to leisure-time physical activity in an urban stream corridor

Abstract

Leisure-Time Physical Activity (LTPA) in green environments is influenced by various social and physical environmental factors. A better understanding of how green environment users perceive these factors may have important implications for health and wellbeing promotion among urban dwellers. This research explores LTPA environmental factors and related perceptions in a Barcelona metropolitan stream corridor case study. We analysed the information collected by means of 30 in-depth interviews using a qualitative ecological approach. We identified the main social (free-time availability, intergenerational exchanges, association membership, presence of other people) and physical (naturalness, accessibility, maintenance, facilities) factors related to LTPA, and assessed their perception for six types of stream corridor users (Athletes, Nature-lovers, Custodians, Cholesterol route users, Weekenders, Allotmenteers). According to their characteristics and motivations in relation to LTPA, each type perceived factors as either barriers or facilitators with coincidences and divergences. Safety concerns stand out for being the main cause of divergent perceptions.