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Citation
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Bezerra MFS, Machado DGS, Farias-Junior LF, Faro HKC, Brasil GC, Elsangedy HM, Okano AH, Costa EC, Chao CHN. J. Transp. Health 2021; 22: e101144. |
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Abstract
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Introduction
Bicycle commuting has economic, environmental, and health benefits. However, it is not clear whether adults meet the physical activity guidelines when performing bicycle commuting in 'real-world' scenarios. This study aimed: (1) to verify whether adults reach the maximum heart rate percentage (%HRmax) recommended by the physical activity guidelines when doing bicycle commuting; (2) to compare the cardiorespiratory fitness of adults who meet and do not the physical activity guidelines and how they bicycle commute.
Methods
In experiment A, 20 healthy adults (25.1 ± 7.6years; 23.0 ± 1.9 kg/m2) were monitored during their habitual bicycle commuting using a Global Positioning System device with a HR monitor for one week. In experiment B, 20 healthy adults (27.8 ± 4.7years; 24.1 ± 3.1 kg/m2) were assessed (peak oxygen uptake, VO2peak; peak power output, PPO) and the following characteristics of the cycling route were compared between active and inactive individuals for one week: time commuting; distance covered; speed; %HRmax; time spent at a vigorous intensity.
Results
Participants in experiment A cycled at a moderate intensity (68.1 ± 8.7%HRmax) and covered ~4.2 ± 2.6 km per route. Meanwhile, the active and inactive individuals in experiment B showed similar VO2peak (P > 0.05), but the active participants reached a higher PPO (P < 0.05). Active individuals spent more time cycling, covered a higher distance, cycled at a higher speed, and showed a higher %HRmax and time spent at vigorous intensity than their inactive peers (Ps < 0.01).
Conclusion
Bicycle commuting should be encouraged for adults to meet the physical activity guidelines. Policymakers, companies, educational institutions should consider implementing measures to promote bicycle commuting.
Language: en |