PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IN URBAN GREEN AREAS: A CASE STUDY
Arbonés, I.
Profesora ayudante doctora. Universidad San Jorge (España), Institut Nacional d’Educació Física de Catalunya- Lleida (España)
Marcén, C.
Profesora contratada Doctora. Universidad San Jorge (España)
Piedrafita, E.
Profesor ayudante doctor. Universidad San Jorge (España)
y Gómez-Gonzalvo, F.
Profesor Colaborador Doctor. Universidad CEU – Cardenal Herrera. Campus Castellón (España)
Abstract
Outdoor physical activity has become one of the main trends in Europe, specially the practice in informal places such as parks, streets or natural surrounds. The purpose of this study is to go in depth the knowledge of sports practice in urban green areas, their meanings and motivations in the environment of a medium-sized Spanish city.
Considering the object of study nature, a case study design in the city of Zaragoza was chosen. This work shows a qualitative research, where three focus group with 28 participants were carried out.
Results point to sports practice increase in urban green areas could be due to city expansion, green areas promotion, economic situation, sport and health links, sports culture evolution, and trends and fashions.
Keywords: Physical activity, parks, qualitative, motives