Impact of the extension of the Sydney Light Rail System on the prevalence of physical activity participation

Funded Activity Summary

Regular participation in physical activity is associated with a range of physical and mental health benefits in adults, including reduced risk for cardiovascular disease, non-insulin dependent diabetes, overweight, hypertension, osteoporosis, some cancers and anxiety and depression. Regular participation in physical activity also improves the ability to meet the demands of work and to engage in leisure activities. Approximately half of all adult Australians are insufficiently active to gain the many health benefits associated with participation in regular physical activity. Modification of the physical environment is one avenue through which the prevalence of physcial activity participation might be increased. More specifically, there has been considerable speculation about the role of public transportation systems in increasing the proportion of adults who are adequately physically active, but no empirical evidence is available. This study will employ a quasi-experimental design to determine if the extension of the Sydney Light Rail System to Lilyfield results in an increase in the prevalence of physical activity (primarily walking) in the affected area, in comparison with a demographically similar area which is not affected by the light rail extension.

Funded Activity Details

Start Date: 01-01-2000

End Date: 01-01-2000

Funding Scheme: NHMRC Project Grants

Funding Amount: $105,647.00

Funder: National Health and Medical Research Council

Research Topics

ANZSRC Field of Research (FoR)

Health Promotion

ANZSRC Socio-Economic Objective (SEO)

There are no SEO codes available for this funding activity

Other Keywords

blood lipids | cardiovascular disease | environmental modification | exercise | hypertension | obesity | physical activity

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