Increasing walking at the C&O Canal National Historical Park: an intervention focused on local employees

Abstract

This study sought to increase walking in the C&O Canal National Historical Park (NHP). C&O Canal NHP joined with Georgetown University, George Washington University, and the Georgetown Business Improvement District to target the employees of these businesses. The study was very similar to a multi-worksite employee wellness research program. Volunteer participants formed teams and competed in a 7-week walking challenge. Pre- and post-challenge surveys were used to measure the effects of the interventions, and were distributed to all participants (N = 183) online and through the mail. The program "interventions" consisted of: 1) message fliers delivered via email to half the participants (chosen randomly) every other week; and 2) social support development--through team formation, and the use of a website to track and compare their progress for all participants.

Parent Publication

• Proceedings of the 2008 Northeastern Recreation Research Symposium

Citation

Smaldone, Dave. 2009. Increasing walking at the C&O Canal National Historical Park: an intervention focused on local employees. In: Klenosky, David B.; Fisher, Cherie LeBlanc, eds. Proceedings of the 2008 Northeastern Recreation Research Symposium; 2008 March 30 - April 1; Bolton Landing, NY. Gen. Tech. Rep. NRS-P-42. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station: 44-52.