ACTIVE COMMUTING TO SCHOOL, BMI, AND HEALTH-RELATED FITNESS OF PRIMARY SCHOOL STUDENTS

Abstract

Active commuting is considered one of the many forms of physical activity that could increase the level of physical activity among school children. The aim of the current study was to examine the differences between the health-related fitness of school children who engage in active and passive commuting to school, and to explore the associations between active commuting to school and the health-related physical fitness of school children. A total of 152 children (58 girls and 94 boys), aged 12, from four primary schools in the Kraljevo area participated in this study. Basic anthropometric measures were taken along with eight physical fitness tests. Boys who actively commute had greater upper body muscular endurance and cardiorespiratory fitness, and girls who were active school commuters had better results in flexibility, explosive power, upper body muscular endurance, and cardiorespiratory fitness. Linear regression analysis revealed significant associations between active commuting, and abdominal strength and cardiorespiratory fitness for boys, and flexibility and upper body muscular endurance for girls. Considering these positive findings, it is recommended that future studies be conducted on a larger sample and that they include intensive educational campaigning to encourage Serbian schoolchildren to practice active commuting to and from school is likewise recommended.