Gordon Paul M, Zizzi Samuel J, Pauline Jeff
West Virginia University, School of Medicine, Department of Human Performance and Exercise Science, Morgantown, WV 26506, USA.
Prev Chronic Dis. 2004 Oct;1(4):A11. Epub 2004 Sep 15.
We evaluated physical activity patterns and trail use among new and habitually active exercisers using onsite trail interviews.
Using a cross-sectional study design, 414 adults who accessed two new trails that bisect a rural community of 26,809 residents were interviewed during the first summer of the trails' official operation (2001). The trails comprise 12 miles of level and paved surface and run parallel to adjacent water sheds, businesses, and neighborhoods. Recent trail activity patterns were obtained, including the following: frequency of use, mode of activity, duration, distance traveled on trail, access points, time of day used, use of exercise companions, and distance traveled to get to trail. Perceived enablers and barriers related to trail use were also obtained. Data were compared between newly adopted exercisers (new exercisers) and individuals active prior to development of the trails (habitually active exercisers).
Twenty-three percent of the trail users were new exercisers. New exercisers were more dependent on the trails as a primary outlet for physical activity than were habitually active exercisers (P < .001). New exercisers traveled shorter distances to access the trails and rated convenience as a primary reason for using them. Both safety and terrain issues emerged as enablers for trail use, and unsafe conditions emerged as a concern among new exercisers.
A community trail may be an important vehicle for promoting physically active lifestyles. However, new exercisers must overcome issues of proximal and safe access from residential areas in addition to other safety concerns to achieve regular physical activity.
我们通过现场步道访谈，评估了新的和习惯性活跃的锻炼者的身体活动模式及步道使用情况。
采用横断面研究设计，在两条新步道正式运营的首个夏季（2001年），对414名使用了这两条将一个拥有26,809名居民的乡村社区一分为二的新步道的成年人进行了访谈。这些步道由12英里的平坦铺砌路面组成，与相邻的流域、商业区和社区平行。获取了近期的步道活动模式，包括以下方面：使用频率、活动方式、持续时间、在步道上行走的距离、入口点、使用时间、是否有锻炼伙伴以及到达步道的距离。还获取了与步道使用相关的感知促进因素和障碍。对新开始锻炼的人（新锻炼者）和在步道开发之前就活跃的个体（习惯性活跃锻炼者）的数据进行了比较。
23%的步道使用者是新锻炼者。与习惯性活跃锻炼者相比，新锻炼者更依赖步道作为身体活动的主要途径（P <.001）。新锻炼者到达步道的距离较短，并将便利性列为使用步道的主要原因。安全和地形问题都是步道使用的促进因素，不安全状况是新锻炼者关注的问题。
社区步道可能是促进积极生活方式的重要工具。然而，新锻炼者除了其他安全问题外，还必须克服从居民区到步道的近端可达性和安全问题，以实现定期的身体活动。
