1 Cycling to school and adolescent fitness : A longitudinal study

Objective. This study investigated whether a change in mode of transport to school from non-cycling to cycling was associated with change in cardio-respiratory fitness (CRF) over a six-year follow-up. Methods. Participants were 384 children (9.7 (0.5) yr) who participated in the Danish arm of the European Youth Heart Study in 1997 and who were followed up six years later. CRF was assessed by a maximal cycle ergometer test and travel to school was investigated by computerised questionnaire at both time points. Linear regression models were used to investigate associations between CRF and change in mode of travel to school between baseline and followup. Results. Participants who did not cycle to school at baseline, and who had changed to cycling at follow up, were significantly fitter than those who did not cycle to school at either time point (p=0.004). The difference of 0.23 Wkg corresponds to a difference of 7.7% in CRF. Longitudinal regression showed that a change in travel mode from non-cycling in 1997 to cycling in 2003 was a significant predictor of CRF in 2003 (p<0.001) after adjustment for potential confounders. Conclusion. Cycling to school may contribute to higher cardiovascular fitness in young people.