Daniel Cohen1, Ayodele A Ogunleye2, Matthew Taylor2, Christine Voss3, Dominic Micklewright2, Gavin R H Sandercock4. 1. Instituto Masira, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical School, University of Santander, Bucaramanga, Colombia. 2. School of Biological Sciences, University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester, CO4 3SQ, UK. 3. Center for Hip Health and Mobility, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. 4. School of Biological Sciences, University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester, CO4 3SQ, UK. Electronic address: gavins@essex.ac.uk.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To determine whether active school travel is associated with muscular fitness, which is an emerging marker of youth health. METHODS: Handgrip strength, vertical jump and vertical jump peak power were measured in n=6829 English schoolchildren (53% males, age 12.9 ± 1.2 years) between 2007 and 2011. Participants were grouped according to self-reported habitual school travel modality. RESULTS: Cyclists had greater handgrip strength than passive travelers. Vertical jump height was greater in walkers and cyclists compared with passive travelers. Jump peak power was also higher in walkers than in the passive travel group. Compared with passive travelers, cyclists had a higher (age, sex and BMI-adjusted) likelihood of good handgrip strength (OR 1.42, 95%CI;1.14-1.76) and walkers were more likely to have good measures for vertical jump peak power (OR 1.14, 95%CI;1.00-1.29). Cyclists' likelihood of having good handgrip strength remained significantly higher when adjusted for physical activity (OR 1.29, 95%CI;1.08-1.46). CONCLUSION: Muscular fitness differs according to school travel habits. Cycling is independently associated with better handgrip strength perhaps due to the physical demands of the activity. Better muscular fitness may provide another health-related reason to encourage active school travel.
OBJECTIVE: To determine whether active school travel is associated with muscular fitness, which is an emerging marker of youth health. METHODS: Handgrip strength, vertical jump and vertical jump peak power were measured in n=6829 English schoolchildren (53% males, age 12.9 ± 1.2 years) between 2007 and 2011. Participants were grouped according to self-reported habitual school travel modality. RESULTS: Cyclists had greater handgrip strength than passive travelers. Vertical jump height was greater in walkers and cyclists compared with passive travelers. Jump peak power was also higher in walkers than in the passive travel group. Compared with passive travelers, cyclists had a higher (age, sex and BMI-adjusted) likelihood of good handgrip strength (OR 1.42, 95%CI;1.14-1.76) and walkers were more likely to have good measures for vertical jump peak power (OR 1.14, 95%CI;1.00-1.29). Cyclists' likelihood of having good handgrip strength remained significantly higher when adjusted for physical activity (OR 1.29, 95%CI;1.08-1.46). CONCLUSION:Muscular fitness differs according to school travel habits. Cycling is independently associated with better handgrip strength perhaps due to the physical demands of the activity. Better muscular fitness may provide another health-related reason to encourage active school travel.
Authors: Jordan J Smith; Narelle Eather; R Glenn Weaver; Nicholas Riley; Michael W Beets; David R Lubans Journal: Sports Med Date: 2019-06 Impact factor: 11.136
Authors: Duarte Henriques-Neto; Miguel Peralta; Susana Garradas; Andreia Pelegrini; André Araújo Pinto; Pedro António Sánchez-Miguel; Adilson Marques Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2020-04-15 Impact factor: 3.390