摘要：Objectives. We assessed park use in Recife, Brazil, and differences in physical activity and occupation rates in public parks with and without the Academia da Cidade Program (ACP), which provides cost-free, supervised physical activity classes. Methods. We used the System for Observing Play and Recreation in Communities (SOPARC) in 128 targeted areas in 10 park sites (5 ACP sites, 5 non-ACP sites) to obtain data on the number of users and their physical activity levels and estimated age. Each area was assessed 4 times a day for 11 days over a 4-week period. Results. A total of 32 974 people were observed during 5589 observation visits to target areas. People using ACP parks were more likely to be seen engaging in moderate-to-vigorous (64% vs 49%) and vigorous (25% vs 10%) physical activity. Relatively more participants in ACP sites than in non-ACP sites were females (45% vs 42% of park users) and older adults (14.7% vs 5.7% of park users). Conclusions. On the basis of systematic observation, ACP appears to be a useful strategy in promoting park use and physical activity among the population in Recife. Physical activity during leisure time has particular relevance for public health practitioners because of its important role in preventing chronic disease and improving mental health, perceived health status, and quality of life. 1 , 2 Leisure-time physical activity can also contribute to increased social interactions and social support and promote a greater sense of community cohesion. 1 However, despite its well-known benefits, the prevalence of leisure-time physical activity continues to be low in many populations, particularly in low-income countries. 3 Numerous studies have found that the built environment plays an important role in promoting active living and its corresponding health benefits, 4 – 6 and public parks have been identified as important environmental resources for promoting leisure-time physical activity. 7 Public health authorities have emphasized that access to and the promotion of parks, trails, and other public recreational facilities help community members reach recommended levels of physical activity. 8 , 9 Systematic literature reviews have also found that access to public recreational facilities promotes physical activity at the community level. 10 , 11 Specifically, the possibility of being physically active is greater among those living in areas with a larger proportion of land dedicated to public parks. 12 , 13 Studies have also recommended promoting programs within the community through the use of outreach activities, some of which have been implemented by programs in Latin America. 14 – 16 A systematic review of community-based physical activity interventions in the Latin American public health literature (in Spanish and Portuguese) was conducted in 2006 during the first phase of Project GUIA (Guide for Useful Interventions for Activity in Brazil and Latin America). 17 The review identified 3 physical activity intervention categories that had not previously been included in the US Guide to Community Preventive Service review. 10 One of these strategies was the offering of physical activity classes in community settings, including public parks. This strategy has been employed by the Academia da Cidade Program (ACP; in English, “City Gyms”), a municipal program sponsored by the Secretariat of Health in Recife, Brazil. This public policy strategy makes use of environmental resources, such as parks, that are currently available in communities to deliver physical activity classes and health and nutritional counseling free of charge. 14 The second phase of Project GUIA included the evaluation of 2 ongoing community-based physical activity promotion interventions in Brazil, with the ACP in Recife being one of the programs chosen for a comprehensive evaluation using both qualitative and quantitative methods. 14 The use of systematic observation methods has been promoted as a strategy suitable for monitoring levels of physical activity in the community. 18 – 20 One instrument, SOPARC (System for Observing Play and Recreation in Communities), has been used to obtain reliable information on physical activity and related variables in parks in the United States. There is a need for alternative evaluation approaches to physical activity at the population level, and methods like SOPARC could be good alternatives. 21 , 22 We used the SOPARC method to compare physical activity levels, park use, and park contextual characteristics in sites with and without the ACP.
