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

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  • Javier Zaragoza

    (CAPAS-City (Centre for the Promotion of PA and Health), University of Zaragoza, 22001 Huesca, Spain
    Faculty of Human Sciences and Education, University of Zaragoza, 22003 Huesca, Spain)

  • Ana Corral

    (Faculty of Human Sciences and Education, University of Zaragoza, 22003 Huesca, Spain)

  • Sergio Estrada

    (CAPAS-City (Centre for the Promotion of PA and Health), University of Zaragoza, 22001 Huesca, Spain)

  • Ángel Abós

    (Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences, University of Zaragoza, Huesca, 22001 Spain)

  • Alberto Aibar

    (CAPAS-City (Centre for the Promotion of PA and Health), University of Zaragoza, 22001 Huesca, Spain
    Faculty of Human Sciences and Education, University of Zaragoza, 22003 Huesca, Spain)

Abstract

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Javier Zaragoza & Ana Corral & Sergio Estrada & Ángel Abós & Alberto Aibar, 2019. "Active or Passive Commuter? Discrepancies in Cut-off Criteria among Adolescents," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(20), pages 1-12, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:16:y:2019:i:20:p:3796-:d:274546
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Mitra, Raktim & Buliung, Ron N., 2014. "The influence of neighborhood environment and household travel interactions on school travel behavior: an exploration using geographically-weighted models," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 36(C), pages 69-78.
    2. Fyhri, Aslak & Hjorthol, Randi & Mackett, Roger L. & Fotel, Trine Nordgaard & Kyttä, Marketta, 2011. "Children's active travel and independent mobility in four countries: Development, social contributing trends and measures," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 18(5), pages 703-710, September.
    3. Manuel Herrador-Colmenero & Manuel Escabias & Francisco B. Ortega & Noreen C. McDonald & Palma Chillón, 2019. "Mode of Commuting TO and FROM School: A Similar or Different Pattern?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(4), pages 1-9, February.
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    1. Miguel Peralta & Duarte Henriques-Neto & Joana Bordado & Nuno Loureiro & Susana Diz & Adilson Marques, 2020. "Active Commuting to School and Physical Activity Levels among 11 to 16 Year-Old Adolescents from 63 Low- and Middle-Income Countries," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(4), pages 1-8, February.

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