Implementation characteristics that may promote sustainability of a rural physical activity initiative: examination of Play Streets through the lens of community implementers.

Background: Play Streets, which are community-based environmental initiatives where public spaces/streets are temporarily closed to create safe, low-cost physical activity opportunities, have demonstrated feasibility and physical activity benefit in rural US areas. Yet, information is needed to identify implementation characteristics that may promote sustainability. This study examined rural Play Streets implementation characteristics that could impact sustainability from local partners' perspectives.

Impact of a transitional care program for heart failure patients at Baylor Scott & White Health: a pilot study.

Heart failure is a chronic health condition characterized by complex symptom management and costly hospitalizations. Hospitalization for the treatment of heart failure symptoms is common; however, many hospitalizations are thought to be preventable with effective self-management. This study describes the small, pilot implementation of a new, interventional, self-management heart failure program, "Engagement in Heart Failure Care" (EHFC), developed to assist heart failure patients with the management of disease symptoms following discharge from an inpatient hospital stay.

Depressive Symptoms and Their Longitudinal Impact on Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviors Among Mexican-Heritage Youth.

The purpose of this study is to examine the longitudinal impact of depressive symptoms on physical activity (PA) levels, sedentary behavior, and screen time among first-generation, Mexican-heritage youth. Mexican-heritage families were recruited by promotoras de salud from colonias in Hidalgo County, Texas. Participants (n = 200 youth, 116 families in final sample) completed at-home, interviewer-administered surveys once during the summer (June-July) and once during the fall (August-December).

Lessons from sustainability of Play Streets in the United States.

Communities around the world lack safe places for children to play and be physically active. One solution to this issue is Play Streets, which involves the temporary closure of streets for several hours to create a safe space for active play and physical activity. While the benefits of these programs are greater when they are recurring over many years, there is a dearth of literature regarding how to successfully sustain Play Streets.

Summer Friends and Physical Activity: Social Network Effects on Child Self-Reported Physical Activity at Summer Care Programs.

Summer is a time of reduced physical activity (PA) for children; however, summer care programs (SCPs) can provide opportunities for children to be active and foster friendships. This study investigated associations between PA and friendship formation at SCPs. Children (ages 8-12 years) from two SCPs reported demographics, PA, and up to five friends at the program.

The Effects of Play Streets on Social and Community Connectedness in Rural Communities.

Promoting physical activity (PA) is a long-standing public health initiative to improve overall health and wellbeing. Innovative strategies such as Play Streets, temporary activation of public spaces to provide safe places for active play, are being adopted in urban and rural communities to increase PA among children. As part of these strategies, aspects of social and community connectedness may be strengthened.

Exploring Paternal Responsibilities and Physical Activity in Mexican-Heritage Families.

Mexican-heritage children often achieve less physical activity (PA) than their counterparts and are at greater risk for associated comorbidities. Child PA is greatly influenced by their parents, yet researchers have rarely involved fathers in community health promotion. The purpose of this study is to examine Mexican-heritage fathers' perceptions of responsibilities and self-reported activities.

Real-Time Video Scan Method for Community Partner Use to Inform Play Streets Implementation.

System for Observing Play and Recreation in Communities (SOPARC) can provide accurate assessment of physical activity; however, the skills, time, and human resources necessary to collect/interpret SOPARC data can be challenging for community organizations. This article describes a more accessible adaptation of SOPARC using video recordings for community organizations to obtain physical activity feedback at Play Streets. Narrated panoramic video scans occurred every 30 minutes at each Play Street using an iPad.

Differences in Child Physical Activity Levels at Rural Play Streets Due to Activity Type and Sex.

Children are significantly less active during summer months, and rural children may face unique barriers to engaging in physical activity. Play Streets is a low-cost way communities can provide safe play opportunities by activating public spaces. Four low-income rural communities received mini-grants to implement four three-hour Play Streets throughout summer 2017 for a total of 16 Play Streets.

Network Autocorrelation of Perceived Physical Activity Skill Competence Among Adolescents at a Summer Care Program: A Pilot Study.

Purpose: This study investigates the possible association between adolescent friendship networks and perceived physical activity skill competence in a summer care program.

Design: Adolescents participated in researcher-administered surveys at the start (T1) and end (T2) of summer.

Setting: Adolescents at a Boys & Girls Club were sampled.

Implementing Play Streets in Low-Income Rural Communities in the United States.

Play streets involve the temporary closure of streets that for a specified time create a safe place for active play. Play streets have been implemented primarily in cities; it is unknown if they could be adapted and implemented in rural areas. To learn about implementation, core components of play streets and inform adaptation, we conducted systematic peer-reviewed and grey literature searches and interviews with a purposive sample of key informants.

Come together, play, be active: Physical activity engagement of school-age children at Play Streets in four diverse rural communities in the U.S.

Across the U.S., Play Streets - temporary street closures creating safe places for play for a few hours- are being implemented in urban areas during summer.

Transforming City Streets To Promote Physical Activity And Health Equity.

Most US cities lack built environments that support physical activity, which is a key determinant of health. Making permanent changes to the physical environment to promote physical activity is not always feasible. Play Streets is a place-based intervention that is typically organized by local governments or community organizations and involves temporarily closing streets to create safe places and free opportunities for physical activity.