The purpose of this study by Faulkner and colleagues was to systematically review research to determine whether children who actively commute to school are more physically active and have a healthier body weight than children who travel by motorized transport. The context for the study was concern about a decline in physical activity for children and youth, and associated increases in health risks. The authors state, “active school transport (AST: walking, cycling, and other forms of non-motorized personal mobility) may be an important and consistent utilitarian source of physical activity.”
The authors used a standardized research protocol to conduct their systematic review of published research on the issue. They searched electronic data bases and found 124 articles to be potentially relevant and further reviewed the lists of references within those studies for additional potentially relevant literature. Studies were screened for these criteria: subjects had to be between the ages of 5 and 18; an objective measure of physical activity such as an accelerometer or pedometer had to be included; and studies which included body weights and BMI had to also use an objective measure. Ultimately 13 studies were examined in depth.
In reviewing the evidence, Faulkner and colleagues reported that 11 of the 13 studies found that children who actively commuted to school were more physically active than children who took motorized transport. The authors also found some evidence for age and gender differences in terms of the relationship between active commuting and physical activity, but no clear pattern emerged as the results were often conflicting. With regard to the relationship between active commuting and body weight, Faulkner and colleagues found that only one of ten studies reported that active commuters had a lower body weight than passive commuters.
In concluding their article, the authors discuss limitations of research conducted to date and recommend areas for future research.
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