GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Physical inactivity within the United States population, and especially among minority populations, is a significant problem. According to the Healthy People 2010 initiative, 52 percent of African-Americans and 54 percent of Latinos report no leisure time physical activity.

These alarming statistics sparked a new research study at the Cllege of Health and Human Performance thanks to a $225,000 grant awarded to the research team of Drs. Myron F. Floyd, John O. Spengler and John J. Confer who are investigating a solution to physical inactivity among minority populations.

“Because of the higher prevalence of inactivity among racial or ethnic minorities and low income groups, it’s important to study environmental characteristics of parks and their relationship to physical activity in diverse communities,” said Floyd, the principal investigator.

The research will focus on parks in minority neighborhoods to determine what features can be improved or added to encourage more physical activity.

For example, a park with benches will encourage people to sit and relax, while a park with hiking trails will encourage physical activity.

Public parks are vital components of a comprehensive strategy to encourage people to integrate leisure time physical activity into their daily lives, according to public health, and park and recreation professionals.

“Parks can have a role in helping people meet physically active goals,” Floyd said.

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation is funding the program, which has been named Active Living Policy and Environmental Studies, or ALPES. The program’s national office is located at San Diego State University.