scholarly journals Potential correlates and outcomes of active commuting to school among adolescents

Motricidade ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 62 ◽  
Author(s):  
João Martins ◽  
James F Sallis ◽  
Adilson Marques ◽  
José Diniz ◽  
Francisco Carreiro da Costa

The present study analysed the prevalence, potential correlates and physical activity (PA), body mass index (BMI), and academic performance outcomes, of active commuting to and from school (ACS), considering the home-to-school distance. A total of 391 Portuguese adolescents (189 boys, aged 14-18 years) completed a questionnaire about their active and passive commuting behaviours; potential correlates and perceived barriers of ACS; PA, BMI and academic performance. Multinomial regressions analyses were performed for ‘no walk/cycle’, ‘one-way commuters’ and for ‘both-ways commuters’ living near (<2 miles) school. The prevalence of one-way and both-ways active commuters decreased as the distance to school increased to more than two miles (66.5% to 23.5%). For the ‘near group’, walking to (47.8%) and from (55.5%) school was much more common than cycling (< 1%). The barrier with the greatest effect for one-way and both-ways active commuters was ‘distance’, followed by ‘stuff to carry’, ‘don’t enjoy walking/cycling’. No significant relations were found between walking or cycling one-way or both-ways and total PA, BMI and academic performance. To increase ACS, results suggest interventions promoting bicycling use and addressing multiple perceived barriers, such as ‘PA and ACS attitudes’, ‘stuff to carry’, perceptions of ‘hot and sweaty’ and ‘distance’.

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (16) ◽  
pp. 8775
Author(s):  
Laura Redondo-Flórez ◽  
Domingo Jesus Ramos-Campo ◽  
Vicente Javier Clemente-Suárez

The aim of the present study was to analyse body composition, anxiety, cardiovascular, and physical activity factors related with academic performance of school students as well as to analyse differences, by age, in these factors. We analysed in 266 primary school students’ (8.81 ± 1.62 years, range: 5–13 years) heart rate, anthropometric variables to calculate body mass index, physical activity performance, anxiety levels and academic results by the average of marks. Students were divided in two different groups, firstly by their lower or higher academic performance, and secondly by age. Results showed a negative correlation between academic performance and age, weight, body mass index and trait anxiety variables. Additionally, significant differences were found by age, presenting older students higher scores in body mass index and lower physical activity, trait anxiety, heart rate and academic performance values than younger students. Overweight and obesity may have a great impact in academic performance in children and we pointed out the necessity to establish programs related with healthy habits which include improvements in physical activity and nutrition behaviours with the objective to enhance children’s health general status, psychological profile, cognitive and motor development, and academic performance.


Author(s):  
Javier Molina-García ◽  
Cristina Menescardi ◽  
Isaac Estevan ◽  
Ana Queralt

A cross-sectional study was designed to evaluate the relationship between the availability and proximity to parks and playgrounds and physical activity (PA). Moreover, the accessibility to parks and playgrounds and its association with active commuting to/from school (ACS) and body mass index (BMI) were analyzed. The sample was composed of children aged 6–12 years old from the BEACH (Built Environment and Active CHildren) study in Valencia, Spain. The availability and proximity to parks and playgrounds were calculated at different buffer sizes (250, 500, 1000 and 1250 m) using geographical information system data. PA out of school was assessed using accelerometers. Sociodemographics and ACS were measured with a parent questionnaire. Objectively measured weight and height were used to calculate BMI. Mixed linear regression analyses were conducted for each exposure variable, adjusting for sociodemographics, neighborhood walkability level, and participant clustering. The number of parks and playgrounds were positively associated with moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA) and total PA (TPA); including light PA and MVPA, during weekdays, in different buffer sizes. A negative relationship between distance to the nearest playground and TPA during weekdays was found. In addition, the number of playgrounds was positively related to ACS in different buffer sizes, whereas park land area was negatively related to the BMI percentile. This study highlights the importance of assessing the availability and proximity to parks and playgrounds in children’s neighborhoods when PA behavior and weight status are analyzed. Study findings may help policymakers when targeting interventions to promote health-enhancing behaviors in children.


2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (17) ◽  
pp. 6718
Author(s):  
Daniel Mendoza-Castejón ◽  
Vicente Javier Clemente-Suárez

The aim of this study was to analyze the autonomic modulation, physical activity, body mass index, and academic performance of preschool and school students by grade. Extracurricular physical activity, heart rate variability, body mass index, and objective and subjective academic performance were analyzed in 180 preschool and primary school students (7.91 ± 2.29 years). Significant lower heart rate and higher parasympathetic modulation were found in 10–12-year-old primary education students. The 8–9-year-old students obtained the worst results in English and in five of the subjective academic performance items. Students aged 10–12 years old presented the highest body composition values. No significant differences were found on the extracurricular physical activity by age. No correlation between autonomic profile, physical activity, and body composition with objective academic performance was found. Nerveless subjective academic performance perception of teachers presented a negative correlation with body composition and the parasympathetic modulation. School students presented an increased body mass index and parasympathetic modulation by age. Physical activity of all students, independently of the age, were lower than the official recommendations.


2020 ◽  
pp. 109019812095439
Author(s):  
Maria Raquel de Oliveira Bueno ◽  
Lidyane Ferreira Zambrin ◽  
Camila Panchoni ◽  
André Oliveira Werneck ◽  
Romulo Araújo Fernandes ◽  
...  

Background Although many studies found a positive association between physical activity (PA) and academic performance (AP), most did not consider important variables of school setting and students’ self-concept. Aims To analyze the association between moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) and AP in adolescents, considering potential confounding variables of school setting and self-concept in adolescents. Method The final sample was composed of 394 students (186 boys) with a mean age of 11.3 ( SD = 0.8) years. The school grades were used as an indicator of AP. Measurements of body mass and stature were collected, and the body mass index was calculated and converted into z-score values. Maternal education, socioeconomic status, self-concept, and variables of the school setting were self-reported. MVPA and sedentary behavior (SB) were measured through accelerometry (GT3X and GT3X+; ActiGraph, Pensacola, Florida). Multiple linear regression was used for the association analyses, adopting p < .05. Results MVPA was inversely associated with global AP and mathematics only for girls: β = −.105 (95% CI [−0.205, −0.006]; p = .038); β = −.136 (95% CI [−0.261, −0.011]; p = .033). After adjusting for the school setting and self-concept, these significant associations disappear. Discussion MVPA was inversely associated with global AP and mathematics only for girls regardless of age, z-score body mass index, maternal education, socioeconomic status, and SB. However, after adjusting for school setting and self-concept, theses association disappear in mathematics and global AP, respectively. Conclusion The device-measured MVPA was not associated with AP after controlling for important variables (school setting and self-concept).


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