title: Associations between active commuting and physical and mental wellbeing.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine whether a relationship exists between active commuting and physical and mental wellbeing.
  
  
  METHODS
  In 2009, cross-sectional postal questionnaire data were collected from a sample of working adults (aged 16 and over) in the Commuting and Health in Cambridge study. Travel behaviour and physical activity were ascertained using the Recent Physical Activity Questionnaire (RPAQ) and a seven-day travel-to-work recall instrument from which weekly time spent in active commuting (walking and cycling) was derived. Physical and mental wellbeing were assessed using the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form survey (SF-8). Associations were tested using multivariable linear regression.
  
  
  RESULTS
  An association was observed between physical wellbeing (PCS-8) score and time spent in active commuting after adjustment for other physical activity (adjusted regression coefficients 0.48, 0.79 and 1.21 for 30-149 min/week, 150-224 min/week and ≥ 225 min/week respectively versus < 30 min/week, p=0.01 for trend; n=989). No such relationship was found for mental wellbeing (MCS-8) (p=0.52).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Greater time spent actively commuting is associated with higher levels of physical wellbeing. Longitudinal studies should examine the contribution of changing levels of active commuting and other forms of physical activity to overall health and wellbeing.
authors.affiliation: UKCRC Centre for Diet and Activity Research (CEDAR), Institute of Public Health, University of Cambridge, UK. dkh25@medschl.cam.ac.uk
authors.forename: David K
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Humphreys
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Goodman
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ogilvie
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004779:Environment Design; D005260:Female; D006262:Health; D006304:Health Status; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014186:Transportation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006113:United Kingdom; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Active commuting; Physical activity; Wellbeing