Influence of Active Commuting to School on Physical Activity Levels of Boys and Girls

2006 ◽  
Vol 38 (Supplement) ◽  
pp. S456
Author(s):  
Michael W. Ray ◽  
Kate A. Heelan
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Active Commuting ◽  
Active Commuting To School ◽  
Physical Activity Levels

Active Travel to School and Physical Activity Levels of Irish Primary Schoolchildren

2011 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 230-236 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elaine M. Murtagh ◽  
Marie H. Murphy
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Active Commuting ◽  
Daily Step ◽  
Step Counts ◽  
Active Commuting To School ◽  
Primary Schoolchildren ◽  
Physical Activity Levels ◽  
Active Travel To School ◽  
Children’S Physical Activity

The purpose of this study was to (1) determine the physical activity levels of 9–11 year old children, and (2) compare the activity levels of children who commute to school by active and passive modes. 140 children aged 9–11 years (85 boys) were recruited from four urban Irish schools. Mode of commuting was assessed by questionnaire. Step counts were measured for 4 consecutive days. Mean daily step counts for the sample were 14386 ± 5634. Boys were significantly more active than girls (15857 ± 5482 vs. 12113 ± 5127 steps). Eighty-seven children (62.1%) traveled by car, 51 children (36.4%) walked to school, one child traveled by bus and one child cycled. Children who walked or cycled to school had higher daily step counts than those who traveled by passive modes (16118 ± 5757 vs. 13363 ± 5332 steps). Active commuting to school may therefore represent a worthwhile strategy for improving children’s physical activity levels.

scholarly journals Active Commuting to School and Physical Activity Levels among 11 to 16 Year-Old Adolescents from 63 Low- and Middle-Income Countries

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 1276
Author(s):  
Miguel Peralta ◽  
Duarte Henriques-Neto ◽  
Joana Bordado ◽  
Nuno Loureiro ◽  
Susana Diz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Middle Eastern ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Active Commuting ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Active Commuting To School ◽  
Physical Activity Levels ◽  
Low And Middle Income

Background: Global physical activity levels are low. Active commuting to school is a low-cost and sustainable behaviour that promotes adolescents’ physical activity levels. Despite its importance, data on low- and middle-income countries is scarce. This study aimed to assess the relationship between active commuting to school and physical activity (PA) levels among 11–16 years-old adolescents from 63 low- and middle-income countries and six world regions. Methods: Data were from the GSHS database. Participants were 187,934 adolescents (89,550 boys), aged 11–16 years-old, from 63 low- and middle-income countries. Active commuting to school and PA were self-reported as the number of days adolescents walked or cycled to school and engaged in physical activity for at least 60 min in the past 7 days. Results: Boys and girls who actively commuted to school presented higher prevalence of attaining the PA recommendations, but only for the 13–14 (boys: 16.6% versus 22.0%; girls: 9.8% versus 14.6%) and 15–16 (boys: 16.3% versus 21.6%; girls: 8.0% versus 14.0%) year-old age groups. Only for Oceania, Central Asian, Middle Eastern, and North African girls and Sub-Saharan African boys no difference was found in the prevalence of attaining the PA recommendations between those who actively commuted to school and those who did not. Boys who actively commuted to school were 42% (95% CI: 1.37, 1.46) more likely to achieve the PA recommendations, while girls were 66% (95% CI: 1.59, 1.73) more likely to achieve the PA recommendations. Conclusions: Active commuting to school is associated with the adolescents’ physical activity levels. However, it may have a lesser influence in helping younger adolescents attaining physical activity recommendations. Public health authorities should promote active commuting to school among adolescents in order to improve the PA levels and promote health.

scholarly journals Mode of Commuting to School and Its Association with Physical Activity and Sedentary Habits in Young Ecuadorian Students

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (12) ◽  
pp. 2704 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yaira Barranco-Ruiz ◽  
Alfredo Guevara-Paz ◽  
Robinson Ramírez-Vélez ◽  
Palma Chillón ◽  
Emilio Villa-González
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Central Region ◽  
School Setting ◽  
Daily Physical Activity ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Active Commuting ◽  
Physical Activity Levels ◽  
Older Adolescents ◽  
Commuting Distance

Active commuting to and from school (ACS) could help to increase daily physical activity levels in youth; however, this association remains unknown in Ecuadorian youth. Thus, the aims of this study were (1) to determine the patterns of commuting to and from school and (2) to analyze the associations between ACS, physical activity (PA), and sedentary habits in Ecuadorian youth. A total of 732 students (65.3% males), aged 10–18 years (children = 246, young adolescents = 310, older adolescents = 162) from the central region of Ecuador participated in this study. A self-report questionnaire, including the usual mode and frequency of commuting, distance from home to school (PACO-Questionnaire), and PA and sedentary habits (YAP-Questionnaire), was used. Most of the sample lived ≤2 km from school; however, they were mainly passive commuters (96%). The most common mode of commuting was by car (to school = 43.4%, from school = 31.6%; p < 0.001). Children presented significantly higher scores (0–4) in PA outside school and total PA compared with older adolescents (2.20 ± 0.97 vs. 1.97 ± 0.96; p = 0.013 and 2.30 ± 0.76 vs. 2.09 ± 0.74, p = 0.019, respectively), as well as the lowest scores in sedentary habits (1.51 ± 0.65, p < 0.001). PA at school and total PA were positively associated with ACS (OR 3.137; 95% CI, 1.918 to 5.131; p < 0.001, and OR 2.543; 95% CI, 1.428 to 4.527; p = 0.002, respectively). In conclusion, passive modes of transportation were the most frequently used to commute to and from school in young Ecuadorians. PA at school and total PA were positively associated with ACS. Thus, interventions at school setting could be an opportunity to improve PA levels and additionally ACS in youth from the central region of Ecuador.

scholarly journals Active Commuting to University and its Association with Sociodemographic Factors and Physical Activity Levels in Chilean Students

Medicina ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 55 (5) ◽  
pp. 152 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yaira Barranco-Ruiz ◽  
Carolina Cruz León ◽  
Emilio Villa-González ◽  
Ximena Palma Leal ◽  
Palma Chillón ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
University Students ◽  
Economic Status ◽  
Personal Data ◽  
Sociodemographic Factors ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Active Commuting ◽  
Main Mode ◽  
Physical Activity Levels ◽  
The University

Background and Objectives: Active commuting to and from university (ACU) could be a strategy to increase physical activity levels (PA) and promote health in young university students. We aimed to a) examine the patterns of commuting to university in Chilean students; b) the association between the mode of commuting to and from university and socio-demographic factors and PA-levels. Materials and Methods: A total of 496 university students (21.6 ± 2.4 years old) from two universities from Valparaíso (central coast of Chile) participated in this study. Personal data, home address, socio-economic status, PA, and the usual mode of commuting to and from the university were self-reported by a questionnaire. The commute distances were objectively measured using Google-Maps-software. Associations were examined using binary logistic regressions. Results: The main mode of commuting was by bus (to university: 55.2% vs. from university: 59.3%; p < 0.001). The least used mode was cycling (1.4% to and from university). Students living >5-km from university were less active commuters than those living in closer distances: (2–5 km, odds ratio (OR): 4.424, 95% and 95% confidence intervals (CI): 2.443–8.011, p < 0.001; 2 km, OR: 143.052, 95% CI: 55.154–371.030, p < 0.001). Students with low PA-levels were less active commuters than those with medium (OR: 1.446; 95% CI: 0.864–2.421; p = 0.160) or higher levels (OR: 1.880; 95% CI: 1.880–1.094; p = 0.022). Students who lived between 2 and 5 km, presented a significant association to be active commuters when they showed medium PA-levels (OR: 5.244, 95% CI: 1.358–20.246; p = 0.016). Conclusions: Chilean university students from Valparaíso are mainly passive commuters using public transport as the main mode of commuting to and from university; longer distances from home to the university are associated with low PA levels. ACU in distances between 2–5 km (mainly walking) could contribute to having medium PA-levels in Chilean university students. Thus, promoting the ACU walking to and from the university in such distances could be an effective strategy to increase the overall PA levels in Chilean university students.

scholarly journals Fiabilidad y viabilidad de un cuestionario autorreportado sobre el modo, tiempo y distancia de desplazamiento en niños y adolescentes (Reliability and feasibility of a self-reported questionnaire on the mode, time and distance of commuting in children an

Retos ◽  
2019 ◽  
pp. 379-385
Author(s):  
Danica Escobar-Gómez ◽  
Fernando Rodriguez-Rodríguez ◽  
Emilio Villa-González ◽  
Irene Esteban-Cornejo ◽  
Palma Chillón
Keyword(s):  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
High Reliability ◽  
Intraclass Correlation ◽  
Weighted Kappa ◽  
Kappa Coefficient ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Active Commuting ◽  
Active Commuting To School ◽  
Physical Activity Levels ◽  
Para Determinar

El desplazamiento activo al colegio es una oportunidad para incrementar los niveles de actividad física en niños y adolescentes. Sin embargo, la prevalencia de este comportamiento, ha descendido en la última década en la mayoría de países. Esta investigación tiene como objetivo estudiar la fiabilidad y viabilidad de un cuestionario sobre el modo de desplazamiento al/desde el centro educativo en niños y adolescentes. Se estudió la fiabilidad a través del Coeficiente de Kappa, Kappa Ponderado y Coeficiente de Correlación Intraclase (CCI) y su respectivo intervalo de confianza (IC). La muestra estuvo compuesta por 220 escolares de 9 a 18 años (72 niños/as y 148 adolescentes), pertenecientes a la región de Valparaíso en Chile. Se utilizaron 6 preguntas para determinar el desplazamiento al/desde el centro educativo. Se analizó el modo de desplazamiento habitual de ida y de vuelta, los viajes de ida y de vuelta semanales, la distancia y el tiempo de desplazamiento al centro educativo. Los resultados demuestran una alta fiabilidad de las preguntas relacionadas con el modo de desplazamiento habitual tanto para la ida (Kappa=0,91), como para la vuelta (Kappa=0,85), así como para la distancia (Kappa=0,79) y el tiempo del desplazamiento (Kappa=0,74). Los viajes de ida y vuelta semanales presentan un CCI muy bueno (de 0,79 a 0,98). Este cuestionario, es un instrumento viable y presenta una fiabilidad de buena a muy buena para evaluar tal comportamiento en niños y adolescentes.Abstract. Active commuting to school is an opportunity to increase physical activity levels in children and adolescents. However, the prevalence of this behavior continues to decline in the last decade in most countries. This research aims to study the reliability and feasibility of a questionnaire of commuting to/from school in children and adolescents. The study of reliability through the Kappa Coefficient, Weighted Kappa and Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) and its respective confidence interval (CI). The sample consisted of 220 students aged 9-18 years (72 children and 148 adolescents), from the Valparaíso region of Chile. Six questions were used to determine the behavior of commuting to/from school); the habitual mode of commuting to school; the habitual mode of commuting from school, weekly round trips, distance and time of commuting to school. The results showed a high reliability of the questions related to the habitual mode of commuting to/from school [(Kappa = 0, 91 and (0, 85, respectively)], as well as for distance (Kappa = 0,79) and time of commuting (Kappa = 0,74). The weekly round trips have a very good Intraclass Correlate Coefficient (ranging from 0,79 to 0,98). This version of the commuting to/from school questionnaire is a feasibility instrument and shows a high reliability to assess such behavior in children and adolescents.

School Day Physical Activity Levels In Children: Active Commuting Day Vs Non-active Commuting Day

2009 ◽  
Vol 41 ◽  
pp. 444
Author(s):  
Andy J.w. Smith ◽  
Jim McKenna ◽  
Stephen P. Cobley ◽  
Duncan Radley ◽  
Jonathan Long
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Active Commuting ◽  
Physical Activity Levels ◽  
School Day

scholarly journals El desplazamiento activo al centro educativo e indicadores de salud asociados: protocolo de evaluación del estudio PACO “Pedalea y Anda al Colegio” y su aplicación en educación secundaria (Active commuting to school and associated health indicators: eval

Retos ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 649-657
Author(s):  
Patricia Gálvez-Fernández ◽  
Romina Gisele Saucedo-Araujo ◽  
Pablo Campos-Garzón ◽  
María Jesús Aranda-Balboa ◽  
Daniel Molina-Soberanes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Research Study ◽  
Health Indicators ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Educational Context ◽  
Active Commuting ◽  
Educational Strategies ◽  
Practical Applications ◽  
Evaluation Protocol ◽  
Active Commuting To School

 Es fundamental elaborar un protocolo de evaluación para garantizar rigor y homogeneidad en cualquier estudio de investigación. Asimismo, se requieren consideraciones específicas si la investigación se desarrolla en contexto educativo y en diferentes centros educativos. Este trabajo tiene como objetivo describir el protocolo de evaluación del estudio de investigación titulado: Estudio PACO “Pedalea y Anda al Colegio”. Además, se aportan recomendaciones globales y aplicaciones prácticas en el contexto educativo. El principal objetivo del estudio PACO es fomentar el comportamiento de desplazamiento activo entre estudiantes de Educación Secundaria Obligatoria para mejorar los niveles de actividad física y otros indicadores de salud asociados. Por ello, el protocolo de evaluación incluye la metodología e instrumentos específicos para evaluar en los adolescentes variables como: 1) modo de desplazamiento al centro educativo y otros factores psicosociales asociados a dicho desplazamiento mediante el cuestionario PACO alumnos, 2) barreras familiares para el desplazamiento activo al centro educativo mediante el cuestionario PACO familias, 3) características antropométricas (peso, talla, perímetro de cintura y de cuello), 4) niveles de actividad física y gasto energético evaluados mediante acelererometría y 5) características de la ruta real casa-colegio registradas mediante Sistema de Posicionamiento Global. La transparencia en la metodología y logística necesaria para evaluar dichas variables en contexto educativo, es la clave para garantizar el rigor y la homogeneidad en futuras implementaciones, ya sean estas realizadas por investigadores o docentes. Finalmente, los datos obtenidos, serán fiables y relevantes para implementar estrategias educativas que fomenten la salud integral de los adolescentes. Abstract. It is essential to develop an evaluation protocol to develop rigor and homogeneity in any research study. Likewise, some considerations are specifically needed if the research is carried out in an educational context and in different schools. This work aims to describe y the evaluation protocol of the research study entitled: PACO Study “Cycle and Walk to School”. In addition, it provides global recommendations and practical applications in the educational context. The main objective of the PACO Study is to promote the behaviour of active commuting among students of Compulsory Secondary Education to improve their physical activity levels and other associated health indicators. For this reason, the evaluation protocol includes the specific methodology and instruments for evaluating variables such as: 1) mode of commuting to school and other psychosocial factors associated with active commuting through the PACO student questionnaire, 2) family barriers to active commuting to school through the PACO families questionnaire, 3) anthropometric characteristics (weight, height, waist and neck circumference), 4) levels of physical activity and energy expenditure evaluated by accelerometry and 5) characteristics of the real home-school route through a Global Positioning System. The transparency in the methodology and logistic necessary to evaluate the variables in the educational context is key to evaluate the rigor and homogeneity in future implementations, whether they are carried out by researchers or teachers. Finally, the obtained data will be reliable and relevant to implement educational strategies in order to promote an integral health of the adolescents.

scholarly journals Physical Activity and Commuting to School in Spanish Nine-Year-Old Children: Differences by Gender and by Geographical Environment

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (24) ◽  
pp. 7104 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jesús Martínez-Martínez ◽  
Susana Aznar ◽  
Sixto González-Víllora ◽  
Guillermo F. López-Sánchez
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Disease Incidence ◽  
Vigorous Physical Activity ◽  
Residential Area ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Active Commuting ◽  
Physically Active ◽  
Active Commuting To School ◽  
Geographical Environment ◽  
Heart Study

Children’s health status is related to their physical activity levels. Active commuting is associated with higher physical activity and reduced risk of all-cause mortality, cardiovascular disease incidence, and diabetes. The objective of this research was to study the levels of physical activity and the commuting to school (active vs. passive) in Spanish nine-year-old children, analyzing the differences by gender and by the geographical environment where they live (rural or urban environment). Accelerometry was used for the measurement of physical activity: Sedentary time (min/day), vigorous physical activity (min/day), moderate to vigorous physical activity (min/day), intensity (counts/min), steps (number). The questionnaire of the European Youth Heart Study (EYHS) was used to determine the geographical environment (city/urban, residential area/outside city, rural/village) and the modes of transport (active: Walking and bicycle, passive: Car, motorcycle, public transport). A total of 455 Spanish nine-year-old children (247 girls and 208 boys) belonging to the EYHS participated in this study. The results showed that boys were significantly more physically active than girls (p ≤ 0.001). Results also showed that active commuting to school was positively correlated with the levels of physical activity (r = 0.324, p ≤ 0.001). The geographical environment influenced the way in which children went to school, being active commuting to school significantly (p ≤ 0.001) less frequent in those children who lived in a rural environment (22.4%) than in those who lived in the city (57.1%) or in a residential area (62.7%). As active commuting to school means increasing levels of physical activity in both sexes, strategies should be implemented in order to encourage active commuting to schools, contributing at the same time to better health and sustainability of future generations.

Associations of Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Children and Adolescents With Physical Activity, Active Commuting to School, and Screen Time

2011 ◽  
Vol 8 (s2) ◽  
pp. S198-S205 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luisa Aires ◽  
Michael Pratt ◽  
Felipe Lobelo ◽  
Rute Marina Santos ◽  
Maria Paula Santos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Cardiorespiratory Fitness ◽  
Computer Time ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Active Commuting ◽  
Effective Strategies ◽  
Active Commuting To School ◽  
Television Time ◽  
Maturation Stages ◽  
Run Test

Background:The objective of this study was to analyze associations of cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) with physical activity, time spent watching television and using computer, mode of commuting to school (CS), and adiposity, by gender.Methods:Participants were 1708 students (53.8% girls), aged 11 to 19 years. CRF was evaluated with a 20-meter shuttle-run test using VO2max by previously published equation. Maturation stages determined by Tanner’s criteria, body mass index, and skinfolds were measured, and a questionnaire used to assess socioeconomic status, PA, television and computer time, and mode of CS. We conducted a regression analysis using CRF as the dependent variable.Results:CRF was independent and positively associated with physical activity [β = 0.338 (95% CI = 0.119; 0.188); P < .001] and with maturation [β = −0.876 (95% CI = 0.666; 1.087); P < .001]; independent and negatively associated with television time [β = −0.003 (95% CI = −0.005; −0.002); P < .001] and adiposity [β = −0.068 (95% CI = −0.076; −0.060); P < .001]. CRF was positively associated with CS [β = 0.337; (95% CI = 0.014; 0.741); P = .014]. No associations were found for computer time.Conclusions:These findings suggest that increasing overall physical activity levels through interventions in different domains such as active CS, reducing sedentary activities, such as television time, might be effective strategies for improving CRF in youth.

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