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A Morning Stroll

Levels of Physical Activity in Car and Mass Transit Commuting

Polytechnic University

Gary W. Evans

Cornell University

Walking as part of the commute has been suggested as a source of healthful moderate activity, although there has been little empirical study to verify this supposition or determine whether one mode is superior to others. This cross-sectional study assessed differences between car and train commuters in level of physical activity. One hundred eleven train and car commuters were asked to wear a pedometer for one week of commuting on their regular route plus complete a standardized self-report physical activity index. Train commuters walked an average of 30% more steps per day, reported having walked for a period of 10 minutes or more while traveling significantly more often, and were 4 times more likely to walk 10,000 steps per day than car commuters. Transportation mode can significantly affect the amount of physical activity commuters accumulate during the course of a typical work day without planned or coordinated exercise programs.

Key Words: health • pedometers • physical activity • transit use • walking

Environment and Behavior, Vol. 39, No. 1, 62-74 (2007)
DOI: 10.1177/0013916506295571


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