Quality of Park and Playground with Park Use and Physical Activity in Children: A Scoping Review

Abstract

Research on the quality of parks and playgrounds is limited, particularly regarding how conditions and cleanliness of parks and playgrounds influence park-based physical activity in children. This study explored the relationship between the quality of parks and playgrounds and physical activity in children, through a scoping review. The scoping review used a systematic search to synthesize research findings on the topic and to identify gaps in the literature. Health Science databases were searched using a three-component search strategy, combining “park and playground”, “quality”, and “physical activity”, revealed 301 titles. Out of which a total of 10 articles was selected in accordance with the selection criteria. The review showed that the quality of parks and playgrounds is a broad concept: it includes a combination of features and amenities, condition, cleanliness, and safety. Features, amenities, and safety of parks and playgrounds are associated with use and, to a limited extent, with park-based physical activity in children in the case of features only. However, few studies were found exploring other aspects of quality, such as the cleanliness and condition of parks and playgrounds, leading to inconclusive findings on this aspect of the relationship. Future original studies should explore the quality attributes of parks and playgrounds that can affect physical activity in children, so intervention strategies on the quality components of parks and playgrounds can be planned.