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The contribution of active commuting to total daily moderate to vigorous physical activity

Gbadamosi, AR; Clarke-Cornwell, AM; Sindall, PA; Granat, MH

Authors

AR Gbadamosi



Abstract

Background: Physical inactivity is associated with a number of chronic diseases. Active commuting has been recognised as a way to increase daily physical activity. The aim of this study was to look at the contribution active commuting makes to total daily moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA).


Methods: A convenience sample (n = 24) of university staff were asked to wear an activPAL™ for seven days. An activity diary was used to collect information on travel times to and from work, and modes of commute to and from work each day. The activPAL™ was used to measure MVPA in terms of cadence (rate of stepping) and total steps. The relationship between commute time in MVPA and total physical activity was analysed.


Results: The average number of steps taken per day was 10,359 (SD ±3,469) with total time spent in MVPA per day being 48.97 (±26.19) minutes. The commute accounted for 17.07 (±13.08) minutes (37%) of daily time spent in MVPA. The average active commute time spent in MVPA by car was 8.89 (±7.55) minutes, by public transport 23.31 (±13.36) minutes, and by walking 28.87 (±9.23) minutes. A statistically significant positive relationship was found between commute time spent in MVPA and total MVPA (Pearson’s correlation test p < 0.001).

Conclusion: Commuting contributes to total physical activity and can be
incorporated into daily life for working individuals. Commuting actively is one way to increase daily physical activity, and the mode of transport can play an important role in determining how much MVPA is accumulated during travel.

Citation

Gbadamosi, A., Clarke-Cornwell, A., Sindall, P., & Granat, M. (2018). The contribution of active commuting to total daily moderate to vigorous physical activity. Journal of Physical Activity and Health, 15(10), S177. https://doi.org/10.1123/jpah.2018-0535

Journal Article Type Article
Online Publication Date Oct 16, 2018
Publication Date Oct 16, 2018
Deposit Date Apr 9, 2019
Publicly Available Date Apr 9, 2019
Journal Journal of Physical Activity and Health
Print ISSN 1543-3080
Electronic ISSN 1543-5474
Publisher Human Kinetics
Volume 15
Issue 10
Pages S177
DOI https://doi.org/10.1123/jpah.2018-0535
Publisher URL https://doi.org/10.1123/jpah.2018-0535
Related Public URLs https://journals.humankinetics.com/journal/jpah
Additional Information Additional Information : Published conference abstract