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Green Space and Physical Activity in China: A Systematic Review

Author

Listed:
  • Jing Shen

    (Department of Physical Education, China University of Geosciences, Beijing 100083, China)

  • Jian Cui

    (Department of Physical Education, China University of Geosciences, Beijing 100083, China)

  • Mengfei Li

    (Department of Physical Education, China University of Geosciences, Beijing 100083, China)

  • Caitlin Vitosky Clarke

    (Department of Kinesiology and Community Health, University of Illinois, Champaign, IL 61820, USA)

  • Yuanyuan Gao

    (Sport Social Science Research Center, Shenyang Sport University, Shenyang 110102, China)

  • Ruopeng An

    (Brown School, Washington University, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA)

Abstract

Green space may play an essential role in residents’ physical activity (PA), but evidence remains scattered in China. This study systematically reviewed scientific evidence regarding the influence of green space on PA among residents in China. Keyword and reference searches were conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, EBSCO, and CNKI from the inception of an electronic bibliographic database to May 2021. Eligibility criteria included the following: study designs—observational (e.g., longitudinal or cross-sectional studies) and experimental studies; study subjects—people of all ages; exposures—green space (e.g., parks, vegetation areas, open green fields); outcomes—leisure-time and work/school-related PA (e.g., active commuting); and country—China. All but two studies identified at least one measure of green space to be associated with PA. Street greenness was associated with increased odds of active commuting (e.g., cycling) and walking, and a reduced risk of physical inactivity. Access to green space was associated with increased PA levels and green space usage. Distance to green space was inversely associated with the odds of PA. By contrast, evidence linking overall greenness exposure to PA remains limited. Future studies adopting experimental study design are warranted to establish more robust scientific evidence of causality between green space and PA in China. Future studies are also warranted to examine the underlining mechanisms and the differential impacts of green space on population subgroups in China.

Suggested Citation

  • Jing Shen & Jian Cui & Mengfei Li & Caitlin Vitosky Clarke & Yuanyuan Gao & Ruopeng An, 2021. "Green Space and Physical Activity in China: A Systematic Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(23), pages 1-21, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:23:p:13368-:d:693758
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Lu, Yi & Sarkar, Chinmoy & Xiao, Yang, 2018. "The effect of street-level greenery on walking behavior: Evidence from Hong Kong," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 208(C), pages 41-49.
    2. Coombes, Emma & Jones, Andrew P. & Hillsdon, Melvyn, 2010. "The relationship of physical activity and overweight to objectively measured green space accessibility and use," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 70(6), pages 816-822, March.
    3. Hunter, Ruth F. & Christian, Hayley & Veitch, Jenny & Astell-Burt, Thomas & Hipp, J.Aaron & Schipperijn, Jasper, 2015. "The impact of interventions to promote physical activity in urban green space: A systematic review and recommendations for future research," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 124(C), pages 246-256.
    4. David Moher & Alessandro Liberati & Jennifer Tetzlaff & Douglas G Altman & The PRISMA Group, 2009. "Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses: The PRISMA Statement," PLOS Medicine, Public Library of Science, vol. 6(7), pages 1-6, July.
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    1. Yuheng Mao & Yichen He & Tianyu Xia & Haorun Xu & Shuai Zhou & Jinguang Zhang, 2022. "Examining the Dose–Response Relationship between Outdoor Jogging and Physical Health of Youths: A Long-Term Experimental Study in Campus Green Space," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(9), pages 1-14, May.
    2. Dan Li & Haiyun Xu & Yue Kang & Koen Steemers, 2023. "Systematic Review: Landscape Characteristics Correlated with Physical Activity of the Elderly People," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(3), pages 1-18, March.
    3. Dagmara Stangierska & Beata Fornal-Pieniak & Paweł Szumigała & Katarzyna Widera & Barbara Żarska & Karolina Szumigała, 2023. "Green Physical Activity Indicator: Health, Physical Activity and Spending Time Outdoors Related to Residents Preference for Greenery," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(2), pages 1-14, January.
    4. Yolanda Campos-Uscanga & Hannia Reyes-Rincón & Eduardo Pineda & Santiago Gibert-Isern & Saraí Ramirez-Colina & Vianey Argüelles-Nava, 2022. "Running in Natural Spaces: Gender Analysis of Its Relationship with Emotional Intelligence, Psychological Well-Being, and Physical Activity," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(10), pages 1-10, May.
    5. Mingxin Liu & Chenxi Chen & Jiaqi Yan, 2023. "Identifying Park Spatial Characteristics That Encourage Moderate-to-Vigorous Physical Activity among Park Visitors," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(3), pages 1-22, March.

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