Investigating the different roles of urban environment in long- and short-distance outdoor jogging: Evidence from Shanghai, China

Abstract

Urban environments play a crucial role in shaping physical activity behaviors, with outdoor jogging being one of the most accessible and popular forms of exercise. However, most existing studies focus on modeling all jogging in aggregate rather than differentiating between short- and long-distance jogging, despite their distinct spatial and environmental demands. Hence, this study explores the impact of urban environmental factors on both short- and long-distance outdoor jogging in Shanghai, China. Using advanced spatial machine learning techniques, the effects of various urban features, such as density, accessibility and visual perception on jogging intensity are examined. Our findings reveal that road density and housing prices are the most consistent and influential factors. Short-distance jogging is more influenced by proximity to transport hubs, while long-distance jogging is more related to access to open space. Perceptual variables significantly promote jogging intensity when exceeding a certain threshold. Additionally, short-distance jogging is promoted in more mixed-use and central neighborhoods while long-distance jogging is converse. The study contributes to the understanding of urban health dynamics and offers insights into urban planning strategies that encourage outdoor physical activity and promote healthier lifestyles.