Increasing Aerobic Exercise in the Community: The Adult Playground in Beijing, China

We read with interest the recent article by Baker and colleagues¹ demonstrating that aerobic exercise improved cognitive outcomes in a sample of elderly patients with mild cognitive impairment.

With evidence of the positive benefits of nonpharmacologic interventions becoming increasingly robust, we would like to report observations that suggest an avenue of translating these findings into a social intervention.

Across urban areas in China, the government has erected multiple outdoor adult playgrounds known as She Qu Jian Shen, or community fitness. One such site that we (A.D., X.Z.) observed is located at the Temple of Heaven in Beijing. Half a football field large, this space consisted of all-weather stretching and strengthening equipment such as elliptical machines, flat benches, modified leg press machines, railings at different heights, monkey bars, and arm and leg rotatory devices. The area was teeming with adults, most older than 60 years, who were not only exercising but also playing games such as Chinese hacky sack (a Chinese game from the 5th century BC) and traditional board games (Figure). One participant, a gentleman who was likely impaired by a stroke, was rehabilitating his weak right arm and leg using an arm rotatory device. Musical activities were also abundant, with individuals and groups singing and playing saxophones, accordions, and traditional Chinese instruments for the crowds.

The adult playground represents a nidus for a community spirit promoting an active lifestyle. In relation to dementia prevention, we should highlight the ideal function of these fitness areas. They socially normalize the communal involvement of elderly individuals in activities that are social, physical, and cognitively engaging. They represent a model of an active community spirit that can be applied widely to other communities and countries.

Correspondence: Dr Dhand, Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, 505 Parnassus Ave, Box 0114, San Francisco, CA 94143-0114 (amar.dhand@ucsf.edu).

Financial Disclosure: None reported.