Utilization and physical activity levels at renovated and unrenovated school playgrounds.

Objective: This study examined utilization and physical activity levels at renovated compared to unrenovated school playgrounds.

Methods: Ten unrenovated and ten renovated school playgrounds (renovated at least a year prior) in Cleveland, OH were matched on school and neighborhood characteristics. Using direct observation (SOPLAY), the number of persons attending each playground and their physical activity levels were recorded using separate counts for girls, boys, men and women.