TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2014//
TI  - Active transportation to and on campus is associated with objectively measured fitness outcomes among college students
JO  - Journal of physical activity and health
A1  - Bopp, Melissa J.
A1  - Bopp, Christopher M.
A1  - Schucher, Megan
SP  - 418
EP  - 423
VL  - 12
IS  - 3
N2  - BACKGROUND: Active transportation (AT) has been associated with positive health outcomes, yet limited research has addressed this with college students, a population at-risk for inactivity. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between AT behavior and objectively measured fitness outcomes. <br><br>METHODS: A volunteer, convenience sample (n=299) of college students from a large northeastern university completed a survey about their AT habits to and on campus and psychosocial constructs related to AT and participated in a lab-based fitness assessment (cardiovascular endurance, muscular strength and endurance, flexibility, body composition).Off-campus students were dichotomized as non-active (0-1 AT trips/day) or active travelers (>1AT trips/day) to campus. T-tests compared non-active and active travelers for psychosocial and fitness variables. <br><br>RESULTS: Students were 56.3% male, 79.2% Non-Hispanic White and primarily living off-campus (87%). Most students (n=177, 59.2%) reported active travel between classes. Off-campus students were primarily active travelers (76.1%). Active travelers to campus had greater cardiovascular fitness (p=0.005), were more flexible (p=0.006) and had lower systolic blood pressure (p=0.05) compared with non-active travelers. <br><br>CONCLUSION: This study documents a relationship between AT behavior and objectively measured fitness among college students and provides a rationale for targeting this behavior as a method for improving health outcomes.<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 1543-3080
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1123/jpah.2013-0332
ID  - ref1
ER  -