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Objective Measurement of the Mode of Commuting to School Using GPS: A Pilot Study

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  • Emilio Villa-González

    (Department of Physical and Sports Education, PROFITH “PROmoting FITness and Health through Physical Activity” Research Group, Sport and Health University Research Institute (iMUDS), Faculty of Education and Sport Sciences, University of Granada, 52005 Melilla, Spain)

  • Sergio Rosado-López

    (PROmoting FITness and Health through physical activity research group (PROFITH), Department of Physical and Sports Education, Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain)

  • Yaira Barranco-Ruiz

    (Department of Physical and Sports Education, PROFITH “PROmoting FITness and Health through Physical Activity” Research Group, Sport and Health University Research Institute (iMUDS), Faculty of Education and Sport Sciences, University of Granada, 52005 Melilla, Spain)

  • Manuel Herrador-Colmenero

    (PROmoting FITness and Health through physical activity research group (PROFITH), Department of Physical and Sports Education, Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain)

  • Cristina Cadenas-Sánchez

    (PROmoting FITness and Health through physical activity research group (PROFITH), Department of Physical and Sports Education, Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain)

  • Maria Paula Santos

    (Centro de Investigação em Actividade Física, Saúde e Lazer (CIAFEL), Faculty of Sport, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Placido Costa, 91, 4200-450, Porto, Portugal)

  • Palma Chillón

    (PROmoting FITness and Health through physical activity research group (PROFITH), Department of Physical and Sports Education, Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain)

Abstract

Background and objectives: Active commuting to school (ACS) is a promising strategy to increase the daily physical activity (PA) in youths. However, more studies are required to objectively quantify the mode of commuting to school, as well as the health impact of this behavior. Thus, the aims of this study were: (1) to objectively determine the mode of commuting to school using GPS; (2) to quantify the sedentary time, PA levels, energy expenditure, and the steps derived from each mode of commuting; and (3) to analyze the associations between ACS trips and sedentary time, PA, energy expenditure, and steps. Participants and Methods: A total of 180 trips to school were detected, which corresponded to 18 adolescents (12 girls, mean age = 15 ± 0.0 years old). Mode of commuting to school was detected using a novel method merging GPS data in the Personal Activity Location Measurement System (PALMS), whereas sedentary time, PA levels, energy expenditure, and steps were objectively evaluated through accelerometry. Logistic regressions were used to analyze the associations of these variables with walking trips. Results: A total of 115 trips were recorded. Most trips were performed by walk (49.5%), followed by vehicle (39.1%) and mixed transport (11.3%). In the active school trips, youths were less likely to spend minutes in sedentary behaviors (OR: 0.481, p = 0.038), a higher increase on Metabolic-Equivalent of Task (METs) (OR: 5.497, p = 0.013), and greater steps (OR: 1.004, p = 0.029) than in the passive school trips (both active and passive modes were objectively measured). Conclusions: ACS (mainly walking) contribute to higher METs and steps in adolescents. GPS could be an appropriate method to objectively evaluate the PA variables related to the ACS trips.

Suggested Citation

  • Emilio Villa-González & Sergio Rosado-López & Yaira Barranco-Ruiz & Manuel Herrador-Colmenero & Cristina Cadenas-Sánchez & Maria Paula Santos & Palma Chillón, 2019. "Objective Measurement of the Mode of Commuting to School Using GPS: A Pilot Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(19), pages 1-12, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:11:y:2019:i:19:p:5395-:d:271995
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Noreen C. McDonald & Ruth L. Steiner & Chanam Lee & Tori Rhoulac Smith & Xuemei Zhu & Yizhao Yang, 2014. "Impact of the Safe Routes to School Program on Walking and Bicycling," Journal of the American Planning Association, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 80(2), pages 153-167, April.
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    Cited by:

    1. Pablo Campos-Garzón & Javier Sevil-Serrano & Yaira Barranco-Ruíz & Palma Chillón, 2020. "Objective Measures to Assess Active Commuting Physical Activity to School in Young People: A Systematic Review Protocol and Practical Considerations," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(16), pages 1-10, August.
    2. Ho Yeung Lam & Sisitha Jayasinghe & Kiran D. K. Ahuja & Andrew P. Hills, 2023. "Active School Commuting in School Children: A Narrative Review of Current Evidence and Future Research Implications," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(20), pages 1-20, October.
    3. Patricia Gálvez-Fernández & Manuel Herrador-Colmenero & Pablo Campos-Garzón & Daniel Molina-Soberanes & Romina Gisele Saucedo-Araujo & María Jesús Aranda-Balboa & Amador Jesús Lara-Sánchez & Víctor Se, 2022. "Convergent Validation of a Self-Reported Commuting to and from School Diary in Spanish Adolescents," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(1), pages 1-15, December.

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