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Aim <p>Test feasibility of measuring physical activity levels and actual use of outdoor exercise equipment by park users through a human-centered virtual audit in an observational study in southern California.</p> Methods <p>Approximately 3,000&#xa0;h of continuous video footage were collected using a stationary, customized, wireless data-transmission-enabled outdoor camera in Eastgate Park, Garden Grove, California. The camera captured images of the outdoor exercise equipment every 30&#xa0;s for 14&#xa0;h a day over seven months. A virtual audit was conducted on 300&#xa0;h of footage by a team of researchers who tracked weather conditions, equipment usage, duration of use, and observed the age, gender, and activity levels (sedentary, moderate, or vigorous) of park users. Equipment use was categorized as intended (correct use) or unintended (e.g., resting on equipment).</p> Results <p>Pooling observations from all eight exercise machines, adults used the equipment as intended an estimated 77% of the time (95% CI: 76%-79%). Youth used the equipment as intended an estimated 39% of the time (95% CI: 37%-40%). Overall, park users used the equipment as intended an estimated 60% of the time (95% CI: 59%-62%).</p> Conclusion <p>Virtual audits can effectively differentiate between intended and actual use of outdoor exercise equipment in recreational parks. This method can complement field observation methods, such as SOPARC, and aid in planning public health promotion and education programs to increase proper use of exercise equipment, however it is time intensive. With the advent of AI, automated visual audits can provide timely analysis of park improvement impacts.</p>

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Evaluating actual use of outdoor exercise equipment in a community park in Southern California through video-captured behavioral assessment

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

    开放获取

  • 发表日期：

    2025年10月7日

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  • Mojgan Sami,
  • Soultana Macridis,
  • Oladele A. Ogunseitan

摘要

Aim

Test feasibility of measuring physical activity levels and actual use of outdoor exercise equipment by park users through a human-centered virtual audit in an observational study in southern California.

Methods

Approximately 3,000 h of continuous video footage were collected using a stationary, customized, wireless data-transmission-enabled outdoor camera in Eastgate Park, Garden Grove, California. The camera captured images of the outdoor exercise equipment every 30 s for 14 h a day over seven months. A virtual audit was conducted on 300 h of footage by a team of researchers who tracked weather conditions, equipment usage, duration of use, and observed the age, gender, and activity levels (sedentary, moderate, or vigorous) of park users. Equipment use was categorized as intended (correct use) or unintended (e.g., resting on equipment).

Results

Pooling observations from all eight exercise machines, adults used the equipment as intended an estimated 77% of the time (95% CI: 76%-79%). Youth used the equipment as intended an estimated 39% of the time (95% CI: 37%-40%). Overall, park users used the equipment as intended an estimated 60% of the time (95% CI: 59%-62%).

Conclusion

Virtual audits can effectively differentiate between intended and actual use of outdoor exercise equipment in recreational parks. This method can complement field observation methods, such as SOPARC, and aid in planning public health promotion and education programs to increase proper use of exercise equipment, however it is time intensive. With the advent of AI, automated visual audits can provide timely analysis of park improvement impacts.