Citation

Stewart T, Duncan S, Schipperijn J. Health Place 2016; 43: 25-32.

Affiliation

Research Unit for Active Living, Department of Sport Science and Clinical Biomechanics, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark. Electronic address: jschipperijn@health.sdu.dk.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2016, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.healthplace.2016.11.009

PMID

27894016

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Although active school travel (AST) is important for increasing moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), it is unclear how AST is related to context-specific physical activity and non-school travel. This study investigated how school travel is related to physical activity and travel behaviours across time- and space-classified domains.

METHODS: A total of 196 adolescents wore a Global Positioning System receiver and an accelerometer for 7 days. All data were classified into one of four domains: home, school, transport, or leisure. Generalized linear mixed models were used to compare domain-specific PA and non-school trips between active and passive school travellers.

RESULTS: Active travellers accumulated 13 and 14 more min of MVPA on weekdays and weekend days, respectively. They also spent 15min less time in vehicular travel during non-school trips, and accrued an additional 9min of MVPA while walking on weekend days. However, those with no AST still achieved most of their MVPA in the transport domain.

CONCLUSIONS: AST is related to out-of-school physical activity and transportation, but transport is also important for those who do not use AST. As such, future studies should consider overall mobility and destinations other than school when assessing travel and physical activity behaviours.

Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Language: en