Racial/Ethnic differences in recreational trail use in master planned communities

Researchers and policymakers promote recreational trails for increasing physical activity (PA); however, we know little about how racial and ethnic minorities use recreational trails for PA promotion. Psychosocial and interpersonal factors, such as exercise self-efficacy (ESE), perceived barriers (PB), and social support (SS) are known to influence to PA. These factors may also influence trail use among racial/ethnic minority groups. The Walking Trails Study was a descriptive, cross-sectional study, conducted in a master-planned community intentionally designed to promote PA. African American (AA; n=62), white (n=56), Asian (n=40), and Latino (n=21) men and women were intercepted while walking on the trail and completed PA, ESE, SS, and PB questions. We used ANOVA to examine between group means on ESE, SS, and PB. Majority of participants used the trail for exercise (82%). Latinos preferred exercise with a partner (75%), and AA were more likely to use the trail alone (42%).ESE was significant for between group differences F(3,123)=4.21, p=.007 with AAs (M=20.63) reporting higher ESE than whites (M=19.17), Asians (M=15.97), and Latinos (M=17.80). Asians (M=35.32) reported significantly higher PB than AAs (M=29.08), whites (M=31.41), and Latinos (M=31.76), F(3,123)=3.80, p=0.01. SS from family F(3,121)=0.328, p=0.81 and friends F(3,121)=1.22, p=0.30 was not significantly different between groups. Planned and adequate PA resources like recreational trails may not solely determine PA participation among minority groups. The current study demonstrates that psychosocial factors differ among racial/ethnic groups and may contribute to trail use. Future studies should focus on the influence of ESE and PB on trail-based PA.