A longitudinal residential relocation study of changes in street layout and physical activity.

Gavin R McCormack; Mohammad Javad Koohsari; Jennifer E Vena; Koichiro Oka; Tomoki Nakaya; Jonathan Chapman; Ryan Martinson; Graham Matsalla
Abstract
Few longitudinal residential relocation studies have explored associations between urban form and physical activity, and none has used the Space Syntax theory. Using a Canadian longitudinal dataset (n = 5944), we estimated: (1) differences in physical activity between non-movers, and those relocating to neighbourhoods with less or more integrated street layouts, and; (2) associations between changes in street layout integration exposure and differences in physical activity. Adjusting for covariates, we found relative to non-movers, those who moved to more integrated neighbourhoods undertook significantly (p < .05) more leisure walking (27.3 min/week), moderate-intensity (45.7 min/week), and moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity (54.4 min/week). Among movers, a one-unit increase in the relative change in street integration exposure ([Street integration at follow-up-street integration at baseline]/street integration at baseline) was associated with a 7.5 min/week increase in leisure walking. Our findings suggest that urban design policies that improve neighbourhood street integration might encourage more physical activity in adults.
Journal SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
ISSN 2045-2322
Published 08 Apr 2021
Volume 11
Issue 1
Pages 7691
DOI 10.1038/s41598-021-86778-y
Type Journal Article | Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Sponsorship