Association of Neighborhood Environment and Physical Activity of the Middle Aged and Elderly during the COVID-19 Pandemic

抄録

This study analyzed the association between neighborhood environment and physical activities (such as exercise and walking) among middle-aged and elderly participants, aged 45–74 years, residing in Kanagawa, Chiba, and Saitama prefectures in Japan in April 2021, when the second state of emergency in response to the COVID-19 pandemic was lifted. It was found that seeing people being active in the neighborhood was related to physical activity. In addition, among people aged 65–74 years, attractive scenery in the vicinity was related to physical activity. Alternatively, no statistically significant relationship was apparent between physical activity and the presence of good access to public transport. The findings of this study not only provide information for preventing secondary harm to health due to infectious diseases, but also provide important suggestions for post-COVID community development.