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Associations Between the Built Environment in GPS-Derived Activity Spaces and Sedentary Behavior, Light Physical Activity, and Moderate-to-Vigorous Physical Activity

Author

Listed:
  • Dante G. Vittor

    (Manning College of Nursing and Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, MA 02125, USA)

  • Jeffrey S. Wilson

    (Department of Geography, Indiana University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA)

  • Scott E. Crouter

    (Department of Kinesiology, Recreation, and Sport Studies, University of Tennessee Knoxville, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA)

  • Benjamin G. Ethier

    (Manning College of Nursing and Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, MA 02125, USA)

  • Ling Shi

    (Manning College of Nursing and Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, MA 02125, USA)

  • Sarah M. Camhi

    (College of Arts and Sciences, University of San Francisco, San Francisco CA 94117, USA)

  • Philip J. Troped

    (Manning College of Nursing and Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, MA 02125, USA)

Abstract

Built environment and physical activity (PA) studies have predominantly used fixed or home-centric approaches to identify environmental exposures. In this study, GPS-derived daily activity spaces were used to examine the relationships between the built environment and sedentary behavior (SB), light PA (LPA), and moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA). Thirty-one adults were assessed with activity monitors and GPS units. Three types of activity spaces were created: 50 m buffered GPS tracks, minimum convex hulls (MCHs), and standard deviational ellipses (SDEs). The environmental variables included land use mix, greenness, and intersection, multi-use trail, bike infrastructure, and bike station densities. Repeated measures regression was used to test the associations for 141 person-days, controlling for age, gender, income, body mass index, crime, precipitation, and temperature. Greenness within MCH activity spaces was positively associated with LPA ( p = 0.02). The bike infrastructure density within SDE spaces had a significant positive association with MVPA ( p = 0.04). Multi-use trail, bike infrastructure, and bike station densities had significant negative associations with LPA ( p ≤ 0.05). There were no significant adjusted associations with SB. The few significant associations in this study varied by outcome and type of activity space. Further studies are needed to determine optimal, yet flexible methods for activity spaces in built environment and PA research.

Suggested Citation

  • Dante G. Vittor & Jeffrey S. Wilson & Scott E. Crouter & Benjamin G. Ethier & Ling Shi & Sarah M. Camhi & Philip J. Troped, 2025. "Associations Between the Built Environment in GPS-Derived Activity Spaces and Sedentary Behavior, Light Physical Activity, and Moderate-to-Vigorous Physical Activity," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 22(4), pages 1-14, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:22:y:2025:i:4:p:566-:d:1628407
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Dustin T. Duncan & Julie Méline & Yan Kestens & Kristen Day & Brian Elbel & Leonardo Trasande & Basile Chaix, 2016. "Walk Score, Transportation Mode Choice, and Walking Among French Adults: A GPS, Accelerometer, and Mobility Survey Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 13(6), pages 1-14, June.
    2. Marijke Jansen & Dick Ettema & Frank Pierik & Martin Dijst, 2016. "Sports Facilities, Shopping Centers or Homes: What Locations are Important for Adults’ Physical Activity? A Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-19, March.
    3. Liang-Dar Hwang & Philip M. Hurvitz & Glen E. Duncan, 2016. "Cross Sectional Association between Spatially Measured Walking Bouts and Neighborhood Walkability," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-11, April.
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