Psychosocial and environmental correlates of active commuting for university students

To examine psychosocial and environmental correlates of active commuting to university (ACU) and explore its association with overall physical activity among college students.

The sample included 518 students (mean 22.4 years; 59.7% female) from two universities in Valencia, Spain. Weekly estimations of energy expenditure from ACU and total physical activity were obtained. Socio-economic status, self-efficacy, barriers to active transport, access to car and motorbike, access to public transport, walking and cycling facilities and distance to university were assessed. Data were collected April and May of 2009, using a self-administered survey. A structural equation model was used to analyze associations among variables.

ACU was inversely correlated with access to private motorized transport (car or motorbike). Perception of physical self-efficacy and walking and cycling facilities were positively associated with ACU, while planning/psychosocial barriers were negatively associated. Multivariate modelling explained 19% of variance in ACU. ACU was not related to total daily physical activity.

Both psychological and environmental variables were significant correlates of ACU. Present findings provide an empirical basis for interventions to increase active transport among university students.