System for Observing Play and Recreation in Communities (SOPARC)
2005
Link to the resource: https://www.nrpa.org/uploadedFiles/nrpa.org/Publications_and_Research/Research/Papers/SOPARC-Report.pdf
- Format:
- Guide
- Target population:
- General population
- Objetive:
-
SOPARC seeks to record the use of community parks: who uses them, how and what levels of physical activity occur in them.
- Methodology:
-
It records “snapshots” of physical activity with very short observation periods, undertaken on different days and at different times.
The trained observer delimits an area of observation on a plane and counts the number of people who use the space during the period. For each user, a profile is created by gender, age group, ethnicity, etc.
It distinguishes the level of physical activity that each person performs: sedentary, moderate, or vigorous.
The count of the number of users according to the level of physical activity can then be translated into metabolic equivalents (METs) and compared with other spaces that are analysed, or with the same space at different times or phases of transformation.
- Opportunities and limitations:
-
Applicable to green spaces, playgrounds, or outdoor sports facilities.
Because SOPARC only collects information about activity within the bounded observation area, the results cannot convey the full contribution of these spaces to the physical activity levels of the community.
Observers require prior training to agree on criteria and minimize possible errors in the record. However, sometimes it may be convenient to have more than one observer per area to validate the results.
As this is a momentary record, there may be cases in which a person is counted more than once, if they remain in the study space during two observation periods. However, the tool has been widely validated and considers these potential limitations in its design.
Tool widely tested and validated in community parks in the USA. Adaptations in the United Kingdom required some modifications.
It allows you to compare levels of physical activity in different spaces, or in the same space in different time periods.
Supplementing the data collected with surveys or interviews can help in the analysis and interpretation of the results.
- Indicators:
-
Green area/inhabitant. Intensity of physical activity (sedentary, moderate or rigorous). Location of park users. Ethnicity of users. Age of users. Gender of users. Day of the week and time of day when the park is used the most.
- Thematic:
- Public space Green infrastructure Mobility and accessibility Equipment and services
- Link to health:
- Physical
- Scale of the field of study:
- Housing / street / building / bounded public space
- Implementation phase:
- Diagnosis / pre-project Monitoring and evaluation
- Methodological approach:
- Observation
