A1 Journal article (refereed)
Indeksi liikuntaympäristöjen monipuolisuudesta asukkaiden lähialueella (2023)
An index to describe the diversity of exercise environments in residents' neighbourhoods

Nurmi, M., Hintsanen, L., Ehnström, E., Laakso, T., & Muukkonen, P. (2023). Indeksi liikuntaympäristöjen monipuolisuudesta asukkaiden lähialueella. Alue ja ympäristö, 52(1), 38-61. https://doi.org/10.30663/ay.125090

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Nurmi, Marisofia; Hintsanen, Laura; Ehnström, Emil; Laakso, Tapani; Muukkonen, Petteri

Journal or series: Alue ja ympäristö

ISSN: 1235-4554

eISSN: 2242-3451

Publication year: 2023

Publication date: 29/06/2023

Volume: 52

Issue number: 1

Pages range: 38-61

Publisher: Alue- ja ympäristötutkimuksen seura

Publication country: Finland

Publication language: Finnish

DOI: https://doi.org/10.30663/ay.125090

Persistent website address: https://aluejaymparisto.journal.fi/article/view/125090

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Open Access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/88040

Additional information: Artikkelin verkkoversiossa (https://doi.org/10.30663/ay.125090) on saatavilla liite, jossa on kuvattu tutkimuksessa käytetyt liikuntaympäristöjen luokittelut ja painotukset.

Abstract

Physical exercise is a necessity for healthy living. It has various positive effects on physical, mental, social, and emotional well-being. The variety of sports facilities and other exercise environments in proximity to residents can support a physically active way of life. Providing equal access to exercise environments, especially in lower socioeconomic neighbourhoods, may level off well-being gaps between neighbourhoods, thereby reducing some of the effects of segregation. In Finland, municipalities have the main responsibility to provide equal exercise services to all residents. In this article, we present a new index for calculating and analysing the number of different exercise environments residents have access to in their surrounding area. A tool for calculating a diversity index for exercise environments is also published as part of the Finnish National Sports Database System (LIPAS). This tool supports municipalities and cities in planning and improving equal access to diverse exercise environments and allows researchers to carry out further studies within this topic.

Keywords: residential areas; neighbourhood units; physical activity services; sports grounds and physical exercise facilities; accessibility; equality (fundamental rights); indexes (comparative figures); urban design; regional policy

Free keywords: Helsinki; Jyväskylä

Contributing organizations

Related projects

Ministry reporting: Yes

VIRTA submission year: 2023

JUFO rating: 1