Leisure-Time Physical Activity and its Relationship with Gender and Walking Time to The Park or Gym

Abstract

In this cross-sectional study, we describe the leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) of 374 adults who answered an online questionnaire. We also explored the relationship between LTPA, gender, and walking time to the nearest park or gym from the participant’s residence. As expected from a recruitment process prone to include physically active individuals, the prevalence of LTPA during the last week was 80.2% (CI95%: 75.8 - 84.1). Our median participant reported having performed 280 (CI95%: 240 – 340) minutes of LTPA during the last week. The prevalence of LTPA and the duration of light and total LTPA were similar between men and women. However, in our sample, women practiced more moderate LTPA and men more vigorous LTPA. The relationship between LTPA and walking time distance to the nearest park or gym is not linear, meaning that living closer to parks or gyms does not necessarily imply more LTPA.