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

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. 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). 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.This study was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Economy, Industry and Competitiveness and the European Regional Development Fund (DEP2016-75598-R, MINECO/FEDER, UE). Additionally, this study takes place thanks to funding from the University of Granada, Plan Propio de Investigación 2016, Excellence actions: Units of Excellence; Unit of Excellence on Exercise and Health (UCEES). To PACO project (Pedalea y Anda al Cole), from PROFITH group, University of Granada