Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 6, 2026

Physical Activity Measurement in Children Accepting Table Tennis Training
Published on: July 27, 2022
Social-ecological correlates of active commuting to school among high school students
Jennifer E Robertson-Wilson1, Scott T Leatherdale, Suzy L Wong
1Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. jrobertsonwilson@wlu.ca
Purpose:
It has been suggested that health benefits from physical activity may be accrued through active commuting to school. Considering that active commuting is modifiable via policy and that there is limited research examining active commuting among high school students, this is a domain that warrants further investigation. The purpose of this study is to explore the relationships between demographic, behavioral, social/psychological, and environmental correlates of active commuting to school among a sample of high school students.
Methods:
Students (N = 21,345) from 76 Ontario high schools (grades 9-12) completed the School Health Action, Planning and Evaluation System Physical Activity Module between 2005-2006. Demographic (gender, grade, body mass index), behavioral (smoking status, physical activity, sedentary time), social/psychological (perceived athletic ability, weight status, parental encouragement), and environmental (school location, type, weather) predictors of active commuting (daily or mixed mode) were assessed.
Results:
Only 42.5% of high school students reported actively commuting to school. Students were less likely to actively commute to school if they were girls, in grade 12, smoked daily, were low-moderate in physical activity, or attended a rural school.
Conclusions:
Patterns of active commuting to school are influenced by multiple factors, some of which are modifiable through intervention. This has important implications for future school-based programming designed to enhance health and physical activity of adolescents through using active modes of transportation to school.
Related Concept Videos
Active Transport
Primary active transporters, like Na+, K+ and -ATPase, directly utilize ATP to move ions across the membrane. These transporters play significant roles in various physiological processes. For instance, Na+, K+ and -ATPase maintain...
Impact of Social Context on Individuals
Secondary Motives: Affiliation Motivation and Aggression Motivation
Erikson's Theory on Socioemotional Development during Adolescence
Influence of Parents and Peers on Identity
Parental Influence on Identity Development
Parents serve as primary guides and managers in an adolescent's life, offering support instrumental in decision-making and personal growth. This guiding role...
The Sense of Self: Reflected Self-Appraisal and Social Comparison