Changes in active commuting and changes in physical activity in adults: a cohort study

Abstract

BackgroundActive travel is associated with greater physical activity, but there is a dearth of research examining this relationship over time. We examined the longitudinal associations between change in time spent in active commuting and changes in recreational and total physical activity.MethodsAdult commuters working in Cambridge, United Kingdom completed questionnaires in 2009 and 2012, and a sub-set completed objective physical activity monitoring in 2010 and 2012. Commuting was assessed using a validated seven-day travel to work record. Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity was assessed using the Recent Physical Activity Questionnaire and combined heart rate and movement sensing. We used multivariable multinomial logistic regression models to examine associations between change in time spent in active commuting and tertiles of changes in time spent in recreational and total physical activity.ResultsFour hundred sixty-nine participants (67 % female, mean age 44 years) provided valid travel and self-reported physical activity data. Seventy-one participants (54 % female, mean age 45 years) provided valid travel and objectively measured physical activity data. A decrease in active commuting was associated with a greater likelihood of a decrease in self-reported total physical activity (relative risk ratio [RRR] 2.1, 95 % CI 1.1, 4.1). Correspondingly, an increase in active commuting was associated with a borderline significantly greater likelihood of an increase in self-reported total physical activity (RRR 1.8, 95 % CI 1.0, 3.4). No associations were seen between change in time spent in active commuting and change in time spent in either self-reported recreational physical activity or objectively measured physical activity.ConclusionsChanges in active commuting were associated with commensurate changes in total self-reported physical activity and we found no compensatory changes in self-reported recreational physical activity. Promoting active commuting has potential as a public health strategy to increase physical activity. Future longitudinal research would be useful to verify these findings.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12966-015-0323-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

The Neighbourhood Physical Environment and Active Travel in Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…These quality criteria included: (1) stratification of neighbourhoods or participants by key environmental attributes to maximise variability in exposures and outcomes [30,38]; (2) sample shown to be representative of the population or response rate ≥60% [37]; (3) AT outcome measure shown to be valid or representing commonly-used measure [37]; (4) adjustment for socio-demographic covariates (at least age, sex, education or similar) [37]; (5) adjustment for selfselection into neighbourhoods [36]; (6) analytical approach accounted for area-level clustering (if appropriate) [39]; (7) analytical approach correctly accounted for distributional assumption of AT outcome; (8) analyses conducted and presented correctly (i.e., formal testing of moderators, if applicable; presentation of point estimates and 95% confidence intervals, standard errors and/or p-values); and (9) did not inappropriately categorise continuous environmental exposure [40]. Items 1-5 and 9 were each assigned a score of 1, while the three items (6)(7)(8) pertaining to statistical analyses were each assigned a score of 1/3 (i.e., 0.33). The latter was done to avoid overstating the importance of the statistical aspect of the article [by assigning a maximum of 3 rather than 1 point (0.33*3) to statistical issues] compared to other methodological issues (e.g., measurement; sample representativeness; internal validity; study design).…”

“…Older adults from Hong Kong, Chicago (USA) and Ghent (Belgium) reported AT accounted for 55% (169 min) of walking within the neighbourhood, 56% (159 min) of total walking and 42% (123 min) of total PA, respectively [4][5][6]. Changes in active commuting have been associated with corresponding changes in total PA without compensatory changes in leisure-time PA, suggesting a net benefit from engaging in AT [7,8]. Furthermore, older people appear to experience greater overall health benefits from transport mode shifts to AT than younger people [9].…”

Health impact modelling of different travel patterns on physical activity, air pollution and road injuries for São Paulo, Brazil

“…Recent evidence supports the assumption that increased levels of active travel do not lead to a change in non-travel or leisure-time physical activity, at least in a high income setting (Foley et al, 2015). We did not model the benefits of physical activity on overweight and at younger ages in later life, the longer term effect of reduced air pollution, nor emerging effects such as on cognitive function, low birth weight or, and therefore may have underestimated the net health effects.…”

Health impacts of the M74 urban motorway extension: a mixed-method natural experimental study

“…20 Recently, research and policy attention has been drawn to the potential of active travel (walking or cycling for transport) to contribute to daily physical activity and to promote good health. [21][22][23] Active travel can become a habitual, sustainable part of everyday life, as well as having important co-benefits such as helping to limit carbon emissions through reduced reliance on motorised transport. 24 In tandem, reducing car use has been identified as an important policy objective because of the relationship between motor vehicle use and poor health via physical inactivity, air pollution and injuries from road traffic accidents.…”