Active commuting and physical activity in adolescents from Europe: results from the HELENA study

Pediatr Exerc Sci. 2011 May;23(2):207-17. doi: 10.1123/pes.23.2.207.

Abstract

We assessed commuting patterns in adolescents from 10 European cities and examined associations with physical activity (PA). A total of 3112 adolescents were included. PA was objectively measured with accelerometry. Commuting patterns and overall PA were self-reported using questions from the International Physical Activity Questionnaire modified for adolescents (IPAQ-A). Adolescents reported to spend 30 min (15,60) [expressed as median (25th, 75th percentiles)] walking. In boys, associations between active commuting (walking and biking) and PA levels were observed for moderate, moderate-to-vigorous and overall PA. In girls, these associations were observed for moderate and moderate-to-vigorous PA (walking). Similar results were found with the IPAQ-A. We observed positive associations between overall commuting and PA levels in European adolescents, yet due to the cross-sectional study design we cannot state the direction of these. Future studies should address the causation between active commuting and PA levels.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acceleration*
  • Adolescent
  • Adolescent Behavior / physiology*
  • Age Factors
  • Analysis of Variance
  • Bicycling / physiology*
  • Body Mass Index
  • Europe
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Linear Models
  • Male
  • Motor Activity / physiology*
  • Sedentary Behavior
  • Self Report
  • Sex Factors
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Walking / physiology*