Abstract
ObjectiveTo objectively examine the contribution to adult physical activity levels of walking to work.MethodsEmployees (n = 103; 36.3 ± 11.7 years) at 17 workplaces in south-west England, who lived within 2 miles (3.2 km) of their workplace, wore Actigraph accelerometers for seven days during waking hours and carried GPS receivers during the commute to and from work. Physical activity volume (accelerometer counts per minute (cpm)) and intensity (minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA)) were computed overall and during the walk to work.ResultsTotal weekday physical activity was 45% higher in participants who walked to work compared to those travelling by car (524.6. ± 170.4 vs 364.6 ± 138.4 cpm) and MVPA almost 60% higher (78.1 ± 24.9 vs 49.8 ± 25.2 minutes per day). No differences were seen in weekend physical activity, and sedentary time did not differ between the groups. Combined accelerometer and GPS data showed that walking to work contributed 47.3% of total weekday MVPA.ConclusionsWalking to work was associated with overall higher levels of physical activity in young and middle-aged adults. These data provide preliminary evidence to underpin the need for interventions to increase active commuting, specifically walking, in adults.
Highlights
IntroductionThere is compelling evidence that regular physical activity is effective in the prevention of chronic diseases (including cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, some cancers, hypertension, obesity, depression and osteoporosis) and premature death, with the greatest improvements in health status seen when people who are least active become physically active [1,2]
There is compelling evidence that regular physical activity is effective in the prevention of chronic diseases and premature death, with the greatest improvements in health status seen when people who are least active become physically active [1,2]
When analysed by main travel mode (Table 3), participants who walked to work had higher levels of overall weekday physical activity compared with those who travelled by car and recorded more minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA), but there was little difference in sedentary time
Summary
There is compelling evidence that regular physical activity is effective in the prevention of chronic diseases (including cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, some cancers, hypertension, obesity, depression and osteoporosis) and premature death, with the greatest improvements in health status seen when people who are least active become physically active [1,2]. Increasing physical activity levels, among the most inactive, is an important aim of current public health policy in the UK [1,7,8,9]. The benefits of active travel One approach to increasing physical activity levels is to promote active travel i.e. walking and cycling. A systematic review of trials and cohort studies found modest but consistent support for the positive health effects of active travel, including a suggested positive effect on diabetes [12]. The suggested benefits to employers of promoting active travel schemes include: increased productivity, a reduction in sick leave, improved public image as a result of lowering the workplace’s carbon footprint, and savings in providing car parking facilities [14,17,18,19,20]
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