Increased physical activity is associated with lower risks of type-2 diabetes, cancer, stroke, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and premature mortality, independent of obesity. The role of the build environment is important for encouraging physical activity. Individuals who live closer to sidewalks, parks, and gyms are more likely to exercise. [1-3]

This is the first national measure created which captures the many places where individuals have the opportunity to participate in physical activity outside of their homes. It is not without several limitations. First no dataset accurately captures all of the possible locations for physical activity within a county. One location for physical activity that is not included in this measure are sidewalks which serve as common locations for running or walking. Additionally, not all locations for physical activity are identified by their primary or secondary business code. For example, malls frequently have walking clubs and schools may have open gyms for community members. Second, although a county may contain a park or recreational facility there may still be barriers to using the facility for exercise. Cost can be a barrier as many facilities charge user fees and parks may charge entrance fees. Additionally, even if census tracts contain a park the entrance may be far or may require crossing a busy street. The buffers chosen include straight line distances, yet the street network and design can impact whether a park is truly accessible by multi-modal transportation. Finally, the buffers used in this measure were chosen based on an estimation of a 5 - 10 minute walk to a park and a 5 - 10 minute drive to a recreational facility. Very few studies exist using distance to recreational facilities and fewer still include rural communities. Different buffer distances may be appropriate for different communities. A walkable community may feel that people will travel further than 1/2 mile to a park, but in some communities a 1/2 mile might be viewed as too far. A final limitation is that all parks are included regardless of the amenities they include (playgrounds sports fields, hiking trails, picnic shelters, etc.) which may be suited to specific age groups.

County Health Rankings http://www.countyhealthrankings.org

Description: Access to Exercise Opportunities measures the percentage of individuals in a county who live reasonably close to a location for physical activity. Locations for physical activity are defined as parks or recreational facilities. Parks include local, state, and national parks. Recreational facilities include businesses identified by the following Standard Industry Classification (SIC) codes and include a wide variety of facilities including gyms, community centers, YMCAs, dance studios and pools.

Source: County Health Rankings http://www.countyhealthrankings.org/app/north-caro..., 2010 & 2013

Individuals who are considered to have adequate access for opportunities for physical activity:

• reside in a census block within a half mile of a park or
• in urban census tracts: reside within one mile of a recreational facility
• in rural census tracts: reside within three miles of a recreational facility