Waseda University · Social Sciences
Professor Gavin R. McCormack's research lab focuses on the interplay between the built environment, neighborhood characteristics, and physical activity across the lifespan. The lab investigates how perceived and objective environmental attributes—such as proximity to destinations, walkability, and park accessibility—influence physical activity and sedentary behaviors, particularly in children, older adults, and working populations. A key emphasis is placed on context-specific environmental influences, seasonal variations in activity, and the role of psychosocial factors like parental anxiety during public health emergencies. The lab also explores equity in urban design, advocating for community-engaged planning to create activity-friendly environments that meet diverse population needs.
Figures are computed from collected data and may differ slightly.
More quasi-experiments that examine a broader range of environmental attributes in relation to context-specific physical activity and that measure changes in the built environment, neighborhood preferences and their effect on physical activity are needed.
Judgments concerning features of environments do not always correspond accurately with objective measures of those same features. Moreover, perceived and objectively assessed environmental attributes, including proximity of destinations, may influence walking behavior in different ways. This study compares perceived and objectively assessed distance to several different destinations and examines whether correspondence between objective and perceived distance is influenced by age, gender, neighbo
The public health emergency response to the COVID-19 virus has involved physical distancing strategies to reduce person-to-person transmission. Pandemics, including COVID-19, may influence changes to physical activity and sedentary behaviours among children. However, the role of parent anxiety related to COVID-19 on children's physical activity and sedentary behaviours has yet to be explored. The purpose of this study was to examine the associations between parent COVID-19 anxiety and physical a
Measuring physical activity throughout the year, rather than at one time point, would more accurately monitor physical activity and assist in developing seasonally appropriate physical activity interventions. Moreover, in countries that experience extreme weather conditions, creating physical activity-friendly environments that help overcome these conditions might contribute to year-long physical activity participation.
Both park and neighbourhood characteristics influence patterns of use and physical activity within parks. The study findings suggest that socio-demographic characteristics of neighbourhoods surrounding parks need be considered in planning, development and management. Engaging local communities could help planners to develop and update urban parks in ways that reflect the needs and characteristics of community residents and, in turn, encourage visits and more physical activity amongst visitors.
Workplace physical activity and working in blue-collar occupations contributes to the achievement of 10,000 steps/day in males. People who achieve current national physical activity guidelines also achieve 10,000 steps/day. Older adults and those overweight are less likely to achieve this behaviour target.
Within the Canadian context, the built environment is associated with a range of chronic health conditions and injury in adults, but the evidence to date has limitations. More research on the built environment and health incorporating rigorous study designs are needed to provide stronger causal evidence to inform policy and practice.
Sidewalk availability in established neighborhoods may be differentially associated with walking for different purposes. Our findings suggest that large investments in sidewalk construction alone would yield small increases in walking.
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