Gregor Jurak1, Maroje Soric1,2, Vedrana Sember1, Sasa Djuric3, Gregor Starc1, Marjeta Kovac1, Bojan Leskosek1. 1. Faculty of Sport, University of Ljubljana, Gortanova ulica 22, SI-1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia. 2. Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Zagreb, Horvacanski zavoj 15, 10110, Zagreb, Croatia. 3. Faculty of Sport, University of Ljubljana, Gortanova ulica 22, SI-1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia. sasa.djuric@fsp.uni-lj.si.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: It is unclear whether active commuting has the potential to improve children's health. This study examined the association of commuting mode and distance with children's cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF). METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study, including 713 Slovenian schoolchildren aged 12 to 15 years. Commuting modes were self-reported, and four commuting groups were constructed, while CRF was determined with a 20-m shuttle run test. The distance from home to school was calculated using the Geographic Information System. Effects of commuting mode and distance, controlling for age, gender and amount of total physical activity, were evaluated using general two linear models (one for each direction of commuting to/from school). RESULTS: The main effect of commuting group on CRF and its interaction with distance were significant in the direction from school to home (P = 0.013 and P = 0.028, respectively), but not in the opposite direction. Predicted differences in CRF between commuting groups were moderate and generally higher in males than in females. When comparing commuting group median distance from home to school, males driven by car had around 4 ml/min/kg lower predicted CRF than those who walked (P = 0.01) or used wheels commuting (e.g., bicycle, skateboard). CONCLUSIONS: The distance of commuting had a small effect on CRF, except in the Car group where children who live close to school had significantly lower CRF than those living further away. Children driven by car who live within wheels or walk distance from school should be targeted by interventions promoting active transport.
BACKGROUND: It is unclear whether active commuting has the potential to improve children's health. This study examined the association of commuting mode and distance with children's cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF). METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study, including 713 Slovenian schoolchildren aged 12 to 15 years. Commuting modes were self-reported, and four commuting groups were constructed, while CRF was determined with a 20-m shuttle run test. The distance from home to school was calculated using the Geographic Information System. Effects of commuting mode and distance, controlling for age, gender and amount of total physical activity, were evaluated using general two linear models (one for each direction of commuting to/from school). RESULTS: The main effect of commuting group on CRF and its interaction with distance were significant in the direction from school to home (P = 0.013 and P = 0.028, respectively), but not in the opposite direction. Predicted differences in CRF between commuting groups were moderate and generally higher in males than in females. When comparing commuting group median distance from home to school, males driven by car had around 4 ml/min/kg lower predicted CRF than those who walked (P = 0.01) or used wheels commuting (e.g., bicycle, skateboard). CONCLUSIONS: The distance of commuting had a small effect on CRF, except in the Car group where children who live close to school had significantly lower CRF than those living further away. Children driven by car who live within wheels or walk distance from school should be targeted by interventions promoting active transport.
Authors: Carlos Rodríguez-López; Zeus M Salas-Fariña; Emilio Villa-González; Milkana Borges-Cosic; Manuel Herrador-Colmenero; Jesús Medina-Casaubón; Francisco B Ortega; Palma Chillón Journal: Health Educ Behav Date: 2017-02-08
Authors: Ashley R Cooper; Niels Wedderkopp; Russell Jago; Peter L Kristensen; Niels C Moller; Karsten Froberg; Angie S Page; Lars Bo Andersen Journal: Prev Med Date: 2008-06-18 Impact factor: 4.018
Authors: Gideon P Dunster; Luciano de la Iglesia; Miriam Ben-Hamo; Claire Nave; Jason G Fleischer; Satchidananda Panda; Horacio O de la Iglesia Journal: Sci Adv Date: 2018-12-12 Impact factor: 14.136