Activity spaces in studies of the environment and physical activity: A review and synthesis of implications for causality

Abstract

Activity spaces are increasingly used to understand how people interact with their environment and engage in activity but their use may raise challenges regarding causal inference. We conducted a systematic review of findings and the methodological, analytical and conceptual issues relevant to causal inference. Studies were included if they comprised a spatial summary of locations visited, assessed any part of the causal pathway between the environment, physical activity and health, and used quantitative or qualitative methods. We searched seven electronic databases in January 2018 and screened 11910 articles for eligibility. Forty-seven studies were included for review. Studies answered research questions about features of or environmental features within activity spaces using a range of spatial and temporal summary techniques. The conceptual challenge of using activity spaces to strengthen causal inference was rarely considered, although some studies discussed circularity, temporality, and plausibility. Future studies should use longitudinal and experimental designs and consider the potential and actual use of spaces for physical activity, and their relationship with total levels of activity.

Keywords: Activity space; Causal inference; Environment; Individual exposure; Physical activity; Research methods.

Fig. 1

Study selection. ^aSee Table 2 for details on categories ^bSome studies met multiple criteria for exclusion. Categories and reasons for exclusion were ordered and only the criterion of highest order is shown ^cAll articles from category six (see Table 2).

Fig. 2

Methods used to delineate activity spaces with descriptions of example applications. Anchor point (for example: home/work/school/sports club location). •/Geo-located movement. Activity space.

Fig. 3

Conceptual framework of research questions answered. ^aTotals to more than 47 as some studies address both types of research question ^bSome studies used shape and size as an indicator of physical activity.