Background. The recreational use of urban spaces has increased significantly in recent years, due to a trend towards healthier lifestyles in which regular exercise plays a leading role. Examples include walking, running or biking, activities for which large urban green parks provide excellent conditions. These parks, located within the city, are intended for public use and include landscape fea...

Altered autonomic function has been identified following ultra-endurance event participation among elite world-class athletes. Despite dramatic increases in recreational athlete participation in these ultra-endurance events, the physiological effects on these athletes are less known. This investigation sought to characterise changes in surrogate measures of autonomic function: heart rate variab...

Numerous studies have observed reduced breast cancer risk with increasing levels of physical activity, yet these findings have been inconsistent about optimal times of activity and effect modification by other factors. We investigated the association between recreational and occupational physical activity and breast cancer risk in a population-based case-control study in Massachusetts, New Hamp...

BACKGROUND Differences in availability of recreational resources may contribute to racial and socioeconomic status (SES) disparities in physical activity. Variations in the location and density of recreational resources were examined by SES and racial composition of neighborhoods. METHODS Densities of resources available in recreational facilities and parks were estimated for census tracts be...

OBJECTIVES The aim of this population-based study was to investigate associations between recreational values of the close natural environment and neighbourhood satisfaction, physical activity, obesity and wellbeing. METHODS Data from a large public health survey distributed as a mailed questionnaire in suburban and rural areas of southern Sweden were used (N = 24,819; 59% participation rate)...

OBJECTIVES This study described epidemiologic patterns of recreational injuries among school aged children in the US and assessed the relation of these patterns to socioeconomic status. METHODS Combined data from the 1997-98 National Health Interview Surveys for 38 458 children aged 6-17 years regarding non-fatal recreational injury episodes that received medical attention, reported by a hous...

STUDY DESIGN  Retrospective case series and literature review. OBJECTIVE  To report and discuss spinal fractures occurring in recreational bobsledders. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA  Spinal fractures have been commonly described following traumatic injury during a number of recreational sports. Reports have focused on younger patients and typically involved high-impact sports or significant in...

BACKGROUND One way to address childhood obesity is to create outlets for children to engage in physical activity. Schools are well equipped to provide an active environment. However, some school boards and administrators are concerned about liability risks. This study describes the legal rules applicable to potential claims against public schools during recreational use of school grounds and fa...