Maher, M and Voss, Christine and Ogunleye, A A and Micklewright, Dominic P and Sandercock, Gavin (2011) Recreational Cycling and Cardiorespiratory Fitness in English Youth. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 44 (3). pp. 474-480. ISSN 0195-9131
Full text not yet available from this repository.Abstract
PURPOSE: Schoolchildren who cycle to school have higher cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) than those who are driven or use public transport. The purpose of this study was to determine if recreational cycling is similarly associated with CRF. METHODS: Participants were 5578 (54% males) English schoolchildren (10.0-15.9 years). All reported frequency of recreational cycling events via 7-day recall. Responses were categorised as: 'non-cyclists' = 0; 'occasional-cyclists' = 1-4; 'regular-cyclists' = 5+ (times per week). CRF was assessed using the 20 m shuttle run test with performance classified as 'fit' or 'unfit' based on FITNESSGRAM standards. RESULTS: Overall, 26% of males and 46% of females were non-cyclists. Compared with non-cyclists, the 40% of males and 42% of females classified as occasional cyclists were more likely to be fit (Males: OR 1.30, 95%CI 1.07-1.59; Females: OR 1.41, 95%CI 1.13-1.76). Regular cyclists (34% males; 12% females) had a greater likelihood still of being classified as fit (Males: OR 1.58, 95%CI 1.29-1.95; Females: OR 1.55, 95%CI 1.09-2.20). No odds remained significant after adjusting for physical activity. Removal of participants who cycled to school had little overall effect on the likelihood of being classified as being fit. CONCLUSION: Previous research has focused only on young people's commuter cycling habits, at the expense of the more common activity of recreational cycling. Recreational cycling may provide an alternative target for interventions to increase physical activity and improve CRF youth. Recreational cycling could potentially serve as a way to gain cycling confidence and establish habits which act as precursors to commuter cycling.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Subjects: | Q Science > QH Natural history > QH301 Biology R Medicine > RC Internal medicine > RC1200 Sports Medicine R Medicine > RJ Pediatrics > RJ101 Child Health. Child health services |
| Divisions: | Faculty of Science and Engineering > Biological Sciences, School of |
| Depositing User: | Jim Jamieson |
| Date Deposited: | 10 Nov 2011 12:53 |
| Last Modified: | 13 Mar 2013 18:09 |
| URI: | http://repository.essex.ac.uk/id/eprint/1308 |
Actions (login required)
 |
View Item |
