This study investigated the relationship between the spatial features of public playgrounds and the usage and physical activity levels of children using the playgrounds. The study also examined gender differences in playground usage and levels of physical activity.
Ten public playgrounds in a middle-sized town in Germany were selected as data-collection sites. All playgrounds were visited for observation 18-21 times by trained observers. The first observations – conducted by two independent observers -- focused on the physical characteristics and qualitative aspects of the playgrounds. The audit tool used for these observations included categories on play facility provision, play facility quality, and aesthetics and cleanliness of the play facilities. Additional data obtained from the city's playground manual included information about the size and condition of the playgrounds, the provision of multi-purpose areas, and the presence of naturalness. A modified version of SOPLAY (System for Observing Play and Leisure Activity in Youth) was used to collect data on playground usage and physical activity. This tool allowed observers to collect information on the number of users per age group and the number of children engaged at various levels of physical activity (sedentary, walking or intensive). This information was recorded and examined separately for males and females.
Results showed differences between playgrounds in both usage and physical activity levels. More children used the playgrounds with more varied facilities and without naturalness than other playgrounds. Additionally, the number of children actively playing in these playgrounds were higher than other playgrounds. There were also some gender differences. Approximately the same number of girls and boys played on the playgrounds, but girls played more actively in playgrounds without multi-purpose areas. For boys, the number of users was higher in playgrounds with more varied play facilities (for ball games, for example) and without naturalness than in natural playgrounds with fewer types of play facilities. Factors not making a difference in usage or level of physical activity include cleanliness, aesthetics, play facility quality, division of functional areas and playground size.
This study found that playground spatial features were related to children's playground usage and activity levels. Not consistent with other studies was the finding that playgrounds without natural features had greater usage and higher level of physical activity than natural playgrounds. Promoting children's physical activity levels, however, is not the only rationale for public playgrounds. Public playspaces are also designed to promote social interaction, social development, and motor skills. These desired outcomes were not investigated in this study but should be considered in the design of public playgrounds. To meet the needs of large numbers of children with varying interests and abilities, playgrounds should offer a wide variety of play facilities and spaces for diverse play activities.
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