Peer-Reviewed Journal Details
Mandatory Fields
Collins, P,Al-Nakeeb, Y,Lyons, M
2015
February
Journal Of Physical Activity & Health
Tracking the Commute Home From School Utilizing GPS and Heart Rate Monitoring: Establishing the Contribution to Free-Living Physical Activity
Published
()
Optional Fields
youth global positioning system active commuting ADOLESCENTS CHILDREN WALKING HEALTH YOUTH TRANSPORTATION ACCELEROMETRY PATTERNS STUDENTS WEIGHT
12
155
162
Background: Active school commuting is widely regarded as a key opportunity for youth to participate in physical activity (PA). However, the accurate measurement of the commute home from school and its contribution to total free-living moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) is relatively unexplored. Methods: Seventy-five adolescents (38 males, 37 females) wore an integrated GPS and heart rate device during after-school hours for 4 consecutive weekdays. Results: Active commuters were significantly more active (11.72 minutes MVPA) than passive commuters (3.5 minutes MVPA) during their commute home from school (P = .001). The commute home of walkers and cyclists on average contributed 35% of their total free-living PA. However, there was no significant difference in the overall free-living PA levels of passive and active commuters (P > .05). A total 92.7% of the youth living within 1.5 miles of the school actively commuted, compared with 16.7% of the youth who lived further away. Socioeconomic differences in commuting patterns were also evident. Conclusions: The findings highlighted the significant proportion of total free-living PA that was attributed to active commuting home from school. The study demonstrates the usefulness of utilizing GPS and heart rate data to accurately track young people's after-school PA. Demographic influences and implications for future research are discussed.
10.1123/jpah.2013-0048
Grant Details