摘要：Most Americans are not sufficiently physically active, even though regular physical activity improves health and reduces the risk of many chronic diseases. Those living in rural, non-White, and lower-income communities often have insufficient access to places to be active, which can contribute to their lower level of physical activity. The shared use of school recreational facilities can provide safe and affordable places for communities. Studies suggest that challenges to shared use include additional cost, liability protection, communication among constituencies interested in sharing space, and decision-making about scheduling and space allocation. This American Heart Association policy statement has provided recommendations for federal, state, and local decision-makers to support and expand opportunities for physical activity in communities through the shared use of school spaces. Regular physical activity is an important behavior for general health and to reduce the risk of coronary heart disease, stroke, hypertension, obesity, and some types of cancers. 1 Unfortunately, the vast majority of youths and adults are not sufficiently physically active. Depending on the population of study and the physical activity assessment used, between 53% 2 and 95% 3 of adults and between 50% 4 and 90% 3 of adolescents are found to not participate in physical activity at levels recommended by the US government. 5 African Americans and Latinos are less physically active 2,4 than are their White counterparts. All Americans should have a variety of community resources that provide an opportunity to be physically active. Public schools are located in all communities and often have physical activity facilities and spaces that can be shared with community members. The American Heart Association supports policies that enable schools to share their physical activity spaces with individuals and community groups. This is in direct agreement with the American Heart Association 2020 Strategic Impact Goal to improve the cardiovascular health of the nation by 20%. 6 Sharing school spaces is also a strategy of the US National Physical Activity Plan, 7 an objective of Healthy People 2020, 8 and a recommendation of the 2010 White House Task Force on Childhood Obesity, 9 and it is in line with recommendations of leading public health authorities. 10–12 However, policy recommendations and tools are needed to facilitate and encourage the shared use of school resources. We have identified the benefits and challenges of shared use, provided policy recommendations to support and expand shared use, and highlighted areas for needed additional research.
