Cycling to school and cardiovascular risk factors: a longitudinal study.
BACKGROUND
Cycling to school may potentially increase physical activity level in sedentary children. Transport to school occur twice a day and could improve cardiovascular health in children. Commuter cycling is associated with lower mortality and cardiovascular disease rate in adults, but limited evidence exists in children.


METHODS
Participants were 334 children (age 9.7 ± 0.5 years) who were followed up 6 years later. Mode of travel to school was investigated by questionnaire. Cardiovascular (CVD) risk factors were compared by mode of travel to school both at baseline and at follow up and for subjects who changed mode of transportation. No difference was found between walkers and passive travelers, and these groups were merged in the analysis.


RESULTS
A consistent pattern of better CVD risk factor profile in commuter cyclists compared with children using other means of transport was found. Participants, who did not cycle to school at baseline, and who had changed to cycling at follow up, were fitter, had better cholesterol/HDL ratio, better glucose metabolism, and a lower composite CVD risk factor score than those who did not cycle at either time point.


CONCLUSIONS
Cycling to school may contribute to a better cardiovascular risk factor profile in young people.
Center for Research in Childhood Health, Institute of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark.
Lars Bo
LB
Andersen
Niels
N
Wedderkopp
Peter
P
Kristensen
Niels Christian
NC
Moller
Karsten
K
Froberg
Ashley R
AR
Cooper
D000293:Adolescent; D001642:Bicycling / Q000502:physiology*; D001774:Blood Chemical Analysis; D001794:Blood Pressure; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002648:Child; D055812:Community-Based Participatory Research; D003718:Denmark; D005080:Exercise Test; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012574:Schools; D014186:Transportation / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data