Churches as Community Physical Activity Resources: A Descriptive Assessment

Objective: In this study, we aimed to assess churches as community physical activity (PA) resources in person and via geographic information system (GIS) tools. Methods: Churches (N = 450) in 7 communities were assessed using an adapted version of the Physical Activity Resource Assessment (PARA) in person and using Web-based GIS views. Validity of Web-based PARA methods was examined using weighted kappa, percent agreement, and the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Results: Average PARA ratings for features (2.39) and amenities (2.81) were high quality; incivilities (1.91) were not a high inconvenience. Most PARA items had slight-to-fair agreement (64.7%) between GIS and in-person assessment; however, items displayed low weighted kappa statistics and quality ratings were significantly different as determined by a Wilcoxon signedrank test. Conclusions: Churches may be viable community PA resources and provide locations for PA. Web-based assessment may not capture quality as well as in-person assessment and more research should be done as technology advances.