Passive Commuters Research Articles

89 Associations of active commuting and leisure-time physical activity with mental health symptoms among Finnish adults: a population-based study

Abstract Purpose Active commuting, that is, walking or cycling to work, can improve physical health. Yet, few studies have explored whether it could also enhance mental health. We examined cross-sectional associations of active commuting and, for comparison, leisure-time physical activity with depressive symptoms and psychological distress among Finnish adults. Methods We included 3439 adults (mean age 45.0 years; 51% women) from the FinHealth 2017 Study. Based on their commuting and leisure-time physical activity behaviour, participants were categorised as active or passive commuters and as sedentary, recreationally active, or exercisers and athletes. Logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios (OR), with 95% confidence intervals (CI), adjusting for major sociodemographic, health behaviour, and physical activity variables. Results Active commuting, as a binary variable, was not associated with mental health outcomes compared to passive commuting. However, in dose-response analyses, high volumes of active commuting (≥ 30 minutes a day) were associated with higher odds of depressive symptoms (OR 1.58, 95% CI 1.18-2.13). Regarding leisure-time physical activity, recreationally active adults had lower odds of depressive symptoms (OR 0.57, 95% CI 0.44-0.73) and psychological distress (OR 0.46, 95% CI 0.32-0.68) compared to sedentary individuals. Similarly, exercisers and athletes had lower odds of depressive symptoms (OR 0.44, 95% CI 0.32-0.61) and lower odds of psychological distress (OR 0.34, 95% CI 0.21-0.55). Conclusions We found leisure-time physical activity, but not active commuting, to be associated with lower odds of mental health symptoms. More research on commuting behaviour is needed to understand the complex relationship between active commuting and mental health.

Green commutes: Assessing the associations between green space exposure along GPS-track commuting routes and adults’ self-perceived stress

BackgroundHabitual commutes through green space may be associated with health promotion, including stress alleviation. However, few studies have assessed green space exposure during commuting with stress levels, and none have tracked commuters’ actual routes. AimTo assess 1) the association between commuting through green space and people's self-perceived stress, 2) whether the association is moderated by the transport mode, and 3) whether the association depends on differing green space operationalizations and buffer sizes. MethodsThis cross-sectional study used questionnaires and global positioning system data from Dutch adults aged 18–65 (N = 275). The Perceived Stress Scale was used to measure people's stress levels. Green space was measured by calculating the green space percentage from land use data (GREENLU), and by using normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) obtained from Sentinel-2 (NDVISE) and Landsat-8 (NDVILS) satellite imagery. Buffers of 50, 100, and 250 m along commuting routes were applied to assess subjects’ environmental exposures. Associations were estimated using ordinary least squares regression models. ResultsCovariate-adjusted regressions showed that GREENLU was significantly but positively associated with stress levels, regardless of the buffer size. By contrast, the NDVI measures consistently showed null associations. We observed a positive association between GREENLU and stress levels among active commuters within the 250 m buffer in stratified analyses; however, associations were null for passive commuters across all green space measures and buffer sizes. ConclusionsOur findings suggest a counterintuitive positive association between increased exposure to green space during daily commutes and people's stress levels. These associations possibly may depend on the selected green space metric, the buffer sizes, and the commuting mode considered. The behavioral aspects of how people experience green environments, including commuting, may contribute to their impact on health.

Association between active commuting and low-grade inflammation: a population-based cross-sectional study.

Prior studies suggest that physical activity lowers circulating C-reactive protein (CRP) levels. However, little is known about the association between regular active commuting, i.e. walking or cycling to work, and CRP concentrations. This study examines whether active commuting is associated with lower CRP. We conducted a cross-sectional study using population-based FINRISK data from 1997, 2002, 2007 and 2012. Participants were working adults living in Finland (n = 6208; mean age = 44 years; 53.6% women). We used linear and additive models adjusted for potential confounders to analyze whether daily active commuting, defined as the time spent walking or cycling to work, was associated with lower high-sensitivity (hs-) CRP serum concentrations compared with passive commuting. We observed that daily active commuting for 45 min or more (vs. none) was associated with lower hs-CRP [% mean difference in the main model: -16.8%; 95% confidence interval (CI) -25.6% to -7.0%), and results were robust to adjustment for leisure-time and occupational physical activity, as well as diet. Similarly, active commuting for 15-29 min daily was associated with lower hs-CRP in the main model (-7.4; 95% CI -14.1 to -0.2), but the association attenuated to null after further adjustments. In subgroup analyses, associations were only observed for women. Active commuting for at least 45 min a day was associated with lower levels of low-grade inflammation. Promoting active modes of transport may lead not only to reduced emissions from motorized traffic but also to population-level health benefits.

Active commuting and low-grade inflammation: a population-based cross-sectional study

Abstract Background Active commuting (i.e., walking and cycling to work) could have public health benefits while simultaneously fostering climate change mitigation. Current evidence suggests that regular physical activity decreases circulating C-reactive protein (CRP) levels. Yet, it is unclear whether active commuting is associated with lower CRP levels. Study aims: To explore the association between active commuting and CRP levels in working Finnish residents. Our hypothesis is that CRP levels are lower in active commuters than passive commuters. Methods A total of 6208 working Finnish residents were drawn from the FINRISK population surveys of years 1997, 2002, 2007 and 2012. We cross-sectionally analysed the association between active commuting, defined as the time spent walking or cycling to work daily, and high sensitivity (hs-) CRP serum levels in this sample. For the analyses, we used linear and additive models, and we adjusted for potential confounders. Results Participants who engaged in a minimum of 45 minutes of daily active commuting had 16.8% (95% confidence interval, CI: -25.6%, -7.0%) lower hs-CRP than passive commuters. The direction of the association in the main model was the same when active commuting lasted 15-29 minutes daily (% mean difference: -7.4; 95% CI: -14.1, -0.2), but the estimates lacked precision after adjusting for leisure-time physical activity and diet. In subgroup analyses, we observed associations for women. Conclusions High level of active commuting, at least 45 minutes a day, was associated with reduced low-grade inflammation; the association was driven by women. Key messages • Promoting active commuting could help reduce many chronic diseases. • Active modes of transport, such as walking and cycling, may not only be an alternative to motorized vehicles to decrease emissions, but they may also have public health benefits.

The feasibility of cycling as a form of active commuting among children from a parental perspective: a qualitative study

ABSTRACT The way children commute to and from school has been described in the literature as passive or active commuting. Active commuting among children in England is low, with the most recent evidence available indicating that between 2% and 8% of children cycle to school. Encouraging active commuting by bicycle among children may be a particular way to increase participation in cycling. Evidence reports that parents influence their children’s attitudes and interests both directly and indirectly; levels of physical activity of a child, for instance, can be shaped via socialisation. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to explore the barriers to children cycling as a means of active commuting. The study used qualitative methods for collecting and analysing data with a diagnostic perspective. A total of eighteen parents, ten mothers and eight fathers, participated in the interviews. Children, eleven girls and seven boys, were aged eight to twelve years. Children’s mean age was 10.2 ± 1.6 years. Children’s primary modes of transport to school were by car (55.6%), walking (33.3%) and by bus (5.6%). Overall, a series of factors seem to prevent parents from supporting their children to actively commute to school. Parents fear their children being exposed to crime and bad weather conditions while actively commuting to school. The absence of cycling lanes and long or short distances from school are further issues preventing parents from supporting their children to cycle to school.

Associations between commute mode use and self-rated health and work ability among Finnish public sector employees.

To determine the extent to which level of active commute mode use is associated with self-rated health and work ability. The data were sourced from the Finnish Public Sector Study survey in 2020 (n = 38,223). The associations between active commuting - assessed with the frequency of using active commute modes - and self-rated health and work ability were examined with negative binomial regression analyses. Passive commuting and low-to-moderate levels of active commuting were compared with active commuting, and the models were adjusted for sociodemographic factors, working time mode, and lifestyle risk factors. We also assessed separate associations between walking and cycling as a mode of commuting by additionally considering the commuting distance and the outcomes. After adjustment, when using active commuters as a reference, passive commuters had a 1.23-fold (95% confidence intervals (CI) 1.19 to 1.29) risk of suboptimal self-rated health and a 1.18-fold (95% CI 1.13 to 1.22) risk of suboptimal work ability. More frequent and/or longer distance by foot and especially by bicycle, was positively associated with health and work ability. Never commuting by bicycle was associated with a 1.65-fold (95% CI 1.55 to 1.74) risk of suboptimal health and a 1.27-fold (95% CI 1.21 to 1.34) risk of suboptimal work ability when using high-dose bicycle commuting as a reference. Passive commuting was associated with suboptimal self-rated health and suboptimal work ability. Our results suggest that using active commute modes, particularly cycling, may be beneficial for employee health and work ability.

Convergent Validation of a Self-Reported Commuting to and from School Diary in Spanish Adolescents.

Cross-sectional data were obtained from four Spanish public secondary schools in 2021, comprising 47 adolescents and 141 home-school and school-home trips. Participants self-reported the time they left and arrived at home and school through a commuting diary. They wore a GPS device recording the objective time during three trips (i.e., one home-school trip and two school-home trips). Agreement between commuting diary and GPS data regarding home-school trips and school-home trips was evaluated using Bland-Altman plots. Total commuting time differed by 1 min (95% limits of agreement were 16.1 min and -18.1 min) between subjective and objective measures (adolescents reported 0.8 more minutes in home-school trips and 1 more minute in school-home trips compared to objective data). Passive commuters reported 0.7 more minutes and active commuters reported 1.2 more minutes in the total commuting time compared to objective data. Self-reported commuting diaries may be a useful tool to obtain commuting times of adolescents in epidemiological research or when tools to measure objective times are not feasible.

Associations among Active Commuting to School and Prevalence of Obesity in Adolescents: A Systematic Review.

Active commuting to school (ACS) seems to be one of the means to increase physical activity (PA) levels in youth, but it is unclear if ACS reduces the prevalence of obesity, protecting and improving their health. Most of the previous research has been conducted on children or youth (i.e., children with adolescents together), and there is a paucity of research in adolescents only. The purpose of this review was to assess the association between ACS with overweight/obesity parameters in adolescents aged 11 to 19 years. We used PubMed, WOS and SPORTDiscus as electronics databases. All steps of the process followed the recommendations of the PRISMA flow-diagram. Fifteen articles (68.18%) found a consistent association between ACS and body composition and seven studies (31.82%) showed no differences in body composition between active and passive commuters to school. Fourteen studies observed that active commuters to school had a more favorable body composition and one study reported that ACS was associated with unfavourable body composition. ACS could be the steppingstone to improve PA promotion in adolescence but whether ACS is associated with improved body composition and prevention of obesity requires further research.

P06-11 Continuity and changes in commuting mode and influence on physical activity, BMI and waist circumference among Finnish adults

BackgroundRegular physical activity (PA) has been found to be important for cardiovascular health and longevity. However, notable proportion of adult population does not meet the national PA recommendations. Active transport is one domain of physical activity, that could be a time-efficient way to increase PA and reach the national recommendations. Additionally, it could have a positive effect to body composition.MethodsBased on longitudinal cohort study, active commuting modes and objectively measured PA were used to determine the influence of commuting mode to steps, aerobic steps, BMI and waist circumference. Linear regression models were fitted to test the associations between the change groups of commuting mode and the longitudinal changes of the response variables.ResultsWhen compared to passive commuters, participants with public transport (p = 0.09) and walking (p > 0.001-0.021) showed higher amounts of steps and aerobic during summertime and wintertime. Cyclers showed higher amounts of steps and aerobic steps only in wintertime (p = 0.001-0.002). Passive commuters had higher BMI than walkers (p = 0.05) and cyclers (p = 0.023) in summertime. Also, cyclers had lower waist circumference than passive commuters (p = 0.016-0.02). Among those who remained persistently active, number of steps did not change. When compared to persistently active, among those who changed from active to passive commuting, steps (-900 - -885) and aerobic steps (-500) declined (p = 0.010-0.036) while among those who changed from passive to active commuting steps (+900-1000) and aerobic steps (+650-750) increased (p = 0.023-0.011).ConclusionsCommuting actively to work and changing passive mode to active mode has a positive effect to number of daily steps and aerobic steps. Since the active commuting is part of the daily routine, promoting active commuting could be one of the key factors tackling the obesity and insufficient PA among adults. Continuity of active commuting seemed to be effective way to maintain body weight in balance over the years.

Active Commuting and Healthy Behavior among Adolescents in Neighborhoods with Varying Socioeconomic Status: The NESLA Study

(1) Background: The World Health Organization recommends active commuting as a source of physical activity. Active commuting is determined by various factors, including the socioeconomic status (SES) of families and neighborhoods, distance to schools, perceived neighborhood safety, lifestyles and availability of walkways and biking paths. This study aimed to assess factors associated with modes of transportation to and from school among adolescents aged 16–19 living in a middle-sized city in Sweden. (2) Method: Three hundred and fourteen students, of whom 55% were females, from schools in the city of Västerås participated in the study. Printed as well as web-based self-administered questionnaires were used to collect the data. (3) Results: Adolescents living in high SES neighborhoods were 80% more likely to bike or walk to school (OR = 1.80; CI: 1.01, 3.20) than adolescents living in low SES neighborhoods. Furthermore, active commuting was associated with higher consumption of fruits and vegetables (OR = 1.77; CI: 1.05, 2.97) and less consumption of junk foods (OR = 0.43; CI: 0.26, 0.71), as compared to passive commuting. (4) Conclusions: Active commuting is a cost-effective and sustainable source of regular physical activity and should be encouraged at a societal level.

Children’s exposure to BC and PM pollution, and respiratory tract deposits during commuting trips to school

Although children have been identified as a vulnerable group highly susceptible to traffic-related air pollution, their exposure during school commutes to traffic-related pollutants and the relevant health impact is rarely studied. In this study, we measured black carbon (BC) and particulate matter (PM: PM1, PM2.5, and PM10) concentrations that children are exposed to during their multi-modal (walking, private cars, and e-bikes) commuting trips to schools in Xi'an, China. A multi-parameter inhalation rate assessment model was developed in combination with the Multi-Path Particle Dosimetry (MPPD) model to quantify the deposition dose in different parts of children’s respiratory system (head, tracheobronchial (TB), pulmonary (PUL)). Results show that walking to school exposed children to the lowest PM1, PM2.5, and BC concentrations, whereas riding an e-bike led to significantly elevated exposure to PM1 and BC than the other two modes. This is due to children’s closer proximity to vehicle tail pipe emissions when they bike to school on road or roadside. The PM and BC concentrations showed remarkable increases in comparison to background concentrations during children’s school commutes. Urban background (UB) concentration, traffic volume (TV), time of day, and meteorological parameters could influence a child’s personal exposure, and the impact of each factor vary across different transportation modes. Particle size of the pollutant affects its deposition site in the respiratory system. Deposition fractions (DFs) and deposition doses in the head region (DF > 50%) were the highest for PM and BC, for which fine particles (BC, PM1, and PM2.5) were then most easily deposited in the PUL region while coarse particles rarely reach PUL. Children inhaled higher doses of polluted air during active commuting (walking) than passive commuting (private cars, e-bikes), due to longer times of exposure coupled with more active breathing.

Is active commuting associated with sedentary behaviour and physical activity in women with fibromyalgia? The al-Ándalus project

Purpose This study aimed to examine the association between active commuting and sedentary time (ST) and physical activity (PA) in women with fibromyalgia. Materials and methods This cross-sectional study included 420 women with fibromyalgia (aged 30 to 74 years old) from Spain. The participants wore an accelerometer during seven days to record ST and PA. They also self-reported patterns of active commuting. Linear regression analyses were conducted to examine the relationships between commuting and accelerometer outcomes. Age, pressure pain threshold, and accelerometer wear time were used as confounders. Results There was a negative association between active commuting and ST whereas active commuting was positively associated with moderate PA, moderate-to-vigorous PA, total PA, and step count (all p ≤ 0.01). No associations were observed in the older group. Conclusion Younger women with fibromyalgia who were active commuters spent less ST and were involved in greater PA than passive commuters. This study highlights the importance of promoting active commuting to increase PA among young women with fibromyalgia, while other sources of PA might be recommended for older patients if levels of active commuting are not increased. Implications for rehabilitation Active commuting is a source to increase PA in women with fibromyalgia. Active commuting alone does not seem to be enough to increase PA levels in older women with fibromyalgia and additional PA strategies should be implemented. Promotion of active commuting in young women with fibromyalgia is recommended.

The Effect of Commuting Time on Job Stress in Obese Men With Different Exercise Frequency in China.

Previous studies have mainly focused on the independent impact of commuting time, exercise, and stress on people. There are few studies regarding the impact of the combined effect of multiple factors on special populations such as obese people. As obesity has become increasingly widespread in China, we studied the impact of commuting time on work stress on Chinese obese men (who exercise regularly vs. who exercise irregularly). We performed a secondary retrospective analysis of the cross-sectional data from the 2014 China Labor Force Dynamics Survey. We found that long commute times and less exercise have a positive effect on the increase in stress, but the effect is less evident for people who exercise regularly. Commuters traveling on foot are more stressed than those traveling by car. This study also found that commuting time had a significant impact on the perceived work stress of obese men who exercised irregularly. But the relationship between commuting time and work stress was different among groups with different commuting styles. For obese men who commuted on foot or motorcycle, commuting time had a significant impact on their job stress. However, for obese men who commuted by bicycle, bus, or car, commuting time had no significant effect on job stress. Additionally, active and passive commuting have different effects on stress. Active commuters tend to be more stressed, while passive commuters do not show a significant impact.

Cross-sectional association between active commuting and perceived commuting stress in Austrian adults: Results from the HOTway study

ObjectiveLittle is known about the acute psychological stress responses caused by commuting. Evidence for the benefits of active commuting (e.g., walking, cycling) is usually based on studies without measurements in free-living environments and without consideration of daily variations in stress. This study investigated the association between commuting mode (active, passive) and perceived commuting stress, assessed on multiple days immediately after commuting. MethodsAdults participating in the cross-sectional ‘Healthy On The way’ (HOTway) study between 2016 and 2017 in Graz, Austria, were included. Participants completed an online survey and responded to statements about perceived stress (demands, tension) on three days before commuting (baseline stress) and after arrival (commuting stress), respectively. Active commuting was defined as cycling and/or walking (passive: car, motorbike, public transport). ResultsOf 188 participants (93 women, mean age: 28.0 ± 10.0 years) included, 124 were active and 64 were passive commuters. Active commuting was associated with less perceived commuting stress compared to passive commuting (bi = −2.95, 95% CI: −4.97 to −0.92, p = .005), even after controlling for subjective well-being, physical activity, commuting time and other confounding variables. ConclusionActive commuting is related to a small reduction in perceived commuting stress. The results of this study support the promotion of active commuting for population (mental) health but future studies on the causal mechanisms and the role of active commuting in the recovery from previous stressors are needed.

Does the mental health of migrant workers suffer from long commute time? Evidence from China

IntroductionMigrant workers in developing counties have become increasingly vulnerable to mental health issues. Although existing studies have identified multiple factors associated with migrant workers’ mental health, commute time has not been investigated as a possible factor, especially in a development context. This study fills the gap by linking the commute time of migrant workers to their mental health outcomes through a Chinese rural-to-urban migrant workers sample. MethodRespondent-driven sampling (RDS) was applied to recruit 2019 qualified rural-to-urban migrant workers in Chengdu, China, from June 2017 to June 2018. Information was collected on mental health status, average one-way commute time, basic sociodemographics, adaptation to urban life and satisfaction with living conditions, social support conditions, and physical health status. Continuous data spatial scan statistics and linear mixed models were used in this study. ResultsThough the average one-way commute time of migrant workers is not very long (simply because of their housing location choice, such as urban villages), the mental health status of these commuters who use active modes (such as walking or biking) is associated with increased commute time. An increased commute time may also influence the relationship between commute mode and mental health among migrant workers. As commute time increases, the differences in mental health status between active and passive commuters could disappear. ConclusionsThe mental health of migrant workers in the development context is associated with commute time and commute mode. Policymakers should avoid applying simplistic strategies to urban villages without considering the positive effects of such villages on reducing commute time and the commute mode choices of migrant workers.

P38 Passive Commuting is Associated with Weight Status of Emerging Adults

<h3>Background</h3> Weight gain among emerging adults is associated with later-life obesity and non-communicable disease (NCD). Time spent in passive commuting may be a contributing factor; however, this has received limited investigative attention. <h3>Objective</h3> To examine the association between passive commuting times and weight status in post-secondary students. <h3>Study Design, Setting, Participants</h3> Analysis of cross-sectional health assessment data from post-secondary students (n = 374; 17-26 years) was conducted. <h3>Measurable Outcome/Analysis</h3> The outcome variable, BMI, was dichotomized as 18.5-24.9 and ≥25 kg/meter-squared. The exposure of interest was average time/week spent in passive commuting. Covariates included age, sex, ethnicity (Caucasian, non-Caucasian), living situation (with someone or living alone), sedentary activities (hours/week watching television + computer time >26 hours = excess), and overall wellness measured by the National Wellness Institute's TestWell Wellness Inventory (scores dichotomized: excellent/good and needs improvement). Bivariate and binary logistic regression analyses examined associations between weight status and passive commuting while adjusting for all covariates. <h3>Results</h3> Most participants were female (80.3%), between 18-19 years (56.7%), non-Caucasian (63.3%), lived with others (87.4%), had excellent/good wellness scores (67.9%), spent >26 hours/week doing sedentary activities (58.6%), and had BMIs within the healthy range (77.3%). Passive commuting times ranged from 1.5 to 40 hours/week. Average commute times significantly differed between those with BMIs within the healthy range and above (t = 2.315, <i>P</i> = .021). Based on multivariable analysis, for each additional hour of weekly commute time, the likelihood of being within the healthy BMI range was reduced by 3% (aOR = 0.97, 95% CI = 0.95-0.99, <i>P</i> = .015). <h3>Conclusions</h3> Strategies to increase active commuting (eg, biking) in emerging adults may help in healthy weight management as well as prevent or delay later life obesity and NCD.

Active travelling to school is not associated with increased total daily physical activity levels, or reduced obesity and cardiovascular/pulmonary health parameters in 10-12-year olds: a cross-sectional cohort study.

Childhood obesity has increased enormously. Several lifestyle factors have been implicated, including decreased physical activity, partially involving a decline in active travel to school. We aimed to establish the association between school transport mode and physical activity levels of primary 6 and 7 children (aged 10-12). Secondary outcomes were body mass index standard deviation scores, blood pressure levels and lung function. A cross-sectional study was conducted with a total number of 432 children from three primary schools in North East Scotland. Actigraph accelerometers were used to provide objective measures of physical activity. Ninety-two children in primary 6 and 90 children in primary 7 (40 in common) had adequate data. Modes of transport to school were assessed by a questionnaire. Two hundred and seventeen children in primary 6 and one hundred and sixty-five in primary 7 returned adequate questionnaires. Children who used active transport modes for >70% of their journeys to school over the week were coded as active travellers and <30% were coded as passive travellers. All children also had height, weight, blood pressure levels and lung function measured. Children who lived further away from school, and in more expensive properties were more likely to travel passively to school. Actively commuting children (70% walking) had significantly higher activity levels than passive commuters during the 30 min that encompassed their journey to and from school. However, there were no significant differences between active and passive school travellers in total daily physical activity, BMI SDS, and both systolic and diastolic blood pressure and lung function. There was no evidence that more days of active travel to school had a significant influence on total physical activity, obesity and related health parameters. Public health interventions promoting active travel to school may have limited success in quelling the childhood obesity epidemic.

Active or Passive Commuter? Discrepancies in Cut-off Criteria among Adolescents.

Active commuting to school has health implications for young people. Previous research has shown the need to consistently define the concept of “active commuter”, given that assessment as well as comparison between studies may be hindered by current discrepancies in frequency criteria. Using a sample of 158 Spanish students (12th–13th grade, 60.8% girls), the current study aimed to compare several cut-off criteria to rigorously identify the frequency of weekly active trips to school in order to categorize adolescents as active or passive commuters, and to analyze whether the threshold living distance to school is associated with the different trip cut-off criteria. Percentages of active commuters ranged from 75% to 88.6%, varying significantly depending on the cut-off criteria (5–10 active trips/week) used. The results also support the need to be stricter in the selection of a cut-off criterion when the distance to the school becomes shorter. Our findings highlight the importance of following a standard criterion to classify individuals as active or passive commuters, considering the characteristics of the context in which each study is conducted.

Association of Active Commuting with Sport Time and Outdoor Play Time in Chinese Schoolchildren

PURPOSE: Active commuting has been proved to be related to higher levels of physical activity in children in Western countries. Whether this relationship exists for specific forms of physical activity, e.g., sport participation and outdoor play, remains unclear, especially among Chinese children. This study aimed to investigate the association of active commuting with sport time and outdoor play time in Chinese schoolchildren. METHODS: A total of 441 children (49.7% boys, mean age = 8.3 ± 0.9 years) in grades 1 to 3 from four primary schools in Beijing participated in this study. Information of children's walking trips, daily sport time, and daily outdoor play time was reported by parents using the modified Chinese version of the children's leisure activities study survey. Children were categorized as either active (≥ 6 walking trips per week) or passive commuters (< 6 walking trips per week) based on the parent-reported number of trips walking to and from school. Children reported their own sex, age, and exercise self-efficacy. Children's body weight and height were measured by researchers to calculate body mass index (BMI). Differences of daily sport time and outdoor play time between active vs. passive commuters were examined by the analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) adjusting for children's age, BMI, and exercise self-efficacy. ANCOVA were conducted separately for boys and girls. RESULTS: 42.7% of boys and 40.3% of girls were classified as active commuters. In boys, no difference was found for daily sport time between active and passive commuters (62.0 ± 46.7 min/d vs. 55.4 ± 41.4 min/d, P = 0.266), whereas active commuters had more time of outdoor play than passive commuters (194.8 ± 122.4 min/d vs. 153.7 ± 122.3 min/d, P = 0.041). For girls, neither daily sport time (64.1 ± 37.7 min/d vs. 54.1 ± 43.9 min/d, P = 0.110) nor daily outdoor play time (146.3 ± 129.6 min/d vs. 178.5 ± 141.4 min/d, P = 0.156) differed between active and passive commuters. CONCLUSIONS: Boys who actively commute to school have higher levels of outdoor play time. Promoting active commuting may increase levels of physical activity in Chinese schoolchildren.

Active Commuting to University and its Association with Sociodemographic Factors and Physical Activity Levels in Chilean Students.

Background and Objectives: Active commuting to and from university (ACU) could be a strategy to increase physical activity levels (PA) and promote health in young university students. We aimed to a) examine the patterns of commuting to university in Chilean students; b) the association between the mode of commuting to and from university and socio-demographic factors and PA-levels. Materials and Methods: A total of 496 university students (21.6 ± 2.4 years old) from two universities from Valparaíso (central coast of Chile) participated in this study. Personal data, home address, socio-economic status, PA, and the usual mode of commuting to and from the university were self-reported by a questionnaire. The commute distances were objectively measured using Google-Maps-software. Associations were examined using binary logistic regressions. Results: The main mode of commuting was by bus (to university: 55.2% vs. from university: 59.3%; p < 0.001). The least used mode was cycling (1.4% to and from university). Students living >5-km from university were less active commuters than those living in closer distances: (2–5 km, odds ratio (OR): 4.424, 95% and 95% confidence intervals (CI): 2.443–8.011, p < 0.001; 2 km, OR: 143.052, 95% CI: 55.154–371.030, p < 0.001). Students with low PA-levels were less active commuters than those with medium (OR: 1.446; 95% CI: 0.864–2.421; p = 0.160) or higher levels (OR: 1.880; 95% CI: 1.880–1.094; p = 0.022). Students who lived between 2 and 5 km, presented a significant association to be active commuters when they showed medium PA-levels (OR: 5.244, 95% CI: 1.358–20.246; p = 0.016). Conclusions: Chilean university students from Valparaíso are mainly passive commuters using public transport as the main mode of commuting to and from university; longer distances from home to the university are associated with low PA levels. ACU in distances between 2–5 km (mainly walking) could contribute to having medium PA-levels in Chilean university students. Thus, promoting the ACU walking to and from the university in such distances could be an effective strategy to increase the overall PA levels in Chilean university students.