Promoting physical activity in low-income children through park sports programs and family outreach

Neighborhood Park Youth Sports Program Fee Waiver and Intensive Family Outreach to Promote Physical Activity in Low-Income Children Ages 6-12 Years

NIH-funded research University of Minnesota · NIH-10861083

This study is looking at how making neighborhood parks more inviting and offering free sports programs can help low-income kids aged 6-12 get more active and play outside.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Minnesota NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Minneapolis, United States)
Project IDNIH-10861083 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates how neighborhood parks can be utilized to enhance physical activity among low-income children aged 6-12 years. It combines fee waivers for youth sports programs with intensive outreach to families to encourage enrollment and participation. The study employs a randomized controlled design, comparing parks with the intervention to those with standard outreach and fee structures. By addressing economic and social barriers, the research aims to increase moderate to vigorous physical activity and reduce sedentary behavior in this vulnerable population.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are low-income children aged 6-12 years who live in racially and ethnically diverse communities.

Not a fit: Children who do not reside in the targeted low-income neighborhoods or are outside the age range of 6-12 years may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly increase physical activity levels in low-income children, promoting healthier lifestyles and reducing disparities in health outcomes.

How similar studies have performed: Previous interventions targeting physical activity in low-income youth have shown promise, but this specific approach combining fee waivers and intensive outreach is novel.

Where this research is happening

Minneapolis, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.