Factors influencing injury severity of motor vehicle-crossing pedestrian crashes in rural Connecticut

The ordered probit model was used to evaluate the effect of roadway and area type features on injury severity of pedestrian crashes in rural Connecticut. Injury severity was coded on the KABCO scale and crashes were limited to those in which the pedestrians were attempting to cross two-lane highways that were controlled by neither stop signs nor traffic signals. Variables that significantly influenced pedestrian injury severity were clear roadway width (the distance across the road including lane widths and shoulders, but excluding the area occupied by on-street parking), vehicle type, driver alcohol involvement, pedestrian age 65 years or older, and pedestrian alcohol involvement. Seven area types were identified: downtown, compact residential, village, downtown fringe, medium-density commercial, low-density commercial, and low-density residential. Two groups of these area types were found to experience significantly different injury severities. Downtown, compact residential, and medium- and low-density commercial areas generally experienced lower pedestrian injury severity than village, downtown fringe, and low-density residential areas.

Developing a framework for assessment of the environmental determinants of walking and cycling

The focus for interventions and research on physical activity has moved away from vigorous activity to moderate-intensity activities, such as walking. In addition, a social ecological approach to physical activity research and practice is recommended. This approach considers the influence of the environment and policies on physical activity. Although there is limited empirical published evidence related to the features of the physical environment that influence physical activity, urban planning and transport agencies have developed policies and strategies that have the potential to influence whether people walk or cycle in their neighbourhood. This paper presents the development of a framework of the potential environmental influences on walking and cycling based on published evidence and policy literature, interviews with experts and a Delphi study. The framework includes four features: functional, safety, aesthetic and destination; as well as the hypothesised factors that contribute to each of these features of the environment. In addition, the Delphi experts determined the perceived relative importance of these factors. Based on these factors, a data collection tool will be developed and the frameworks will be tested through the collection of environmental information on neighbourhoods, where data on the walking and cycling patterns have been collected previously. Identifying the environmental factors that influence walking and cycling will allow the inclusion of a public health perspective as well as those of urban planning and transport in the design of built environments.

Influence of yard work and weight training on bone mineral density among older U.S. women

The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of type of physical activity on bone mineral density among older U.S. women. Findings from the present study indicate that jogging, swimming and calisthenics were weak predictors for high bone density values. Bicycling, aerobics, walking and dancing were moderate predictors for positive bone density. Yard work and weight training were strong and independent predictors for positive bone density.

Physical activity in Filipino youth: the Cebu Longitudinal Health and Nutrition Survey

OBJECTIVE

To describe physical activity (PA) and inactivity levels of Filipino youth aged 14-16 y.

DESIGN

PA type and patterns were assessed in an adolescent cohort enrolled in the Cebu Longitudinal Health and Nutrition Survey.

SUBJECTS

A total of 1053 males (aged 15.6+/-0.5 y; body mass index (BMI)=18.6+/-2.6 kg/m(2)) and 990 females (aged 14.6+/-0.5 y; BMI=18.8+/-2.4 kg/m(2)).

MEASUREMENTS

PA was assessed by (1) self-reported usual PA (questionnaire); (2) 24-h objective monitoring (Caltrac accelerometer); and (3) 24 h recalls of PA during the objectively monitored time frame.

RESULTS

As measured by Caltrac, males expended 378.0+/-164.5 kcal and females 271.0+/-105.4 kcal. The measurement approaches employed agreed in expected ways, given the limitations of each. Together the approaches used indicated that the primary sources of PA for this population are chores and active commuting. In all, 40% of the sample walked to school, less than 1% rode a bicycle, 22% rode in/on motorized transport, and 37% used some combination of walking and motorized transport. Further, gender differences exist for type, frequency, and duration of physical activities performed by Filipino youth. Specifically, females report engaging in few leisure-time physical activities and more household chores. In total, 48% of Filipino youth report watching > or =2 h/day of television; relatively few youth (7%) report watching >4 h/day at this time. An 18% of males report no vigorous activities compared to 87% of females.

CONCLUSION

Clear gender differences in PA patterns and levels exist in Filipino adolescents. Nonsport/exercise type activities (eg chores and active commuting) currently provide a large proportion of daily activity for both males and females, however. It is anticipated that as modernization and technological advancement continue in this developing country, these primary sources of PA will decrease.

Temporary external pedicular fixation versus definitive bony fusion: a prospective comparative study on pain relief and function

Temporary external pedicular fixation is used as a prognostic instrument when treating degenerative conditions with spinal fusion. We studied the validity of the method and whether a functional test could improve the prognostic value of such fixation. Twenty-six patients with long-standing lumbar pain had an external temporary fixation. Pain levels were registered before fixation on a visual analogue scale at rest, as a mean for the previous week, and at seven different standardized activities. Walking capacity and walking speed for a standardized distance were also measured. Identical evaluations were then repeated during the external fixation and 1 year after definitive fusion. Based on the outcome of the temporary fixation, 20 patients were recommended for definitive surgical fusion. In six cases, the option of fusion surgery was rejected due to an unfavourable pain response or insufficient pain relief during the test fixation period, and this group was not further followed within the study. One year after surgery, 14 of 20 patients reported a good outcome. Solid bony fusion assessed by conventional radiography was seen in 19 patients. One patient with a poor clinical outcome had a pseudarthrosis. The mean values for pain level at rest, during last week and at the seven different activities in the functional test tended to decrease after fusion compared to the situation with temporary external fixation. In no activity did the external fixator overestimate the mean positive pain-relieving effect after definitive fusion. The walking capacity significantly increased, while the walking speed did not alter at the three different measurements. We conclude that with a good outcome ratio of 14 patients out of 19 having a solid fusion, the external frame improved patient selection and can be used as a valid prognostic instrument. The pain relief and function after definitive fusion can not be quantified by the external fixation, probably due to the fact that the stabilisation with an external frame is partial. The value of the functional test design presented is moderate, and an outcome evaluation comprising pain relief at rest and mean pain level during a week in fixation seems adequate.

An environmental intervention to promote walking and cycling--the impact of a newly constructed Rail Trail in Western Sydney

BACKGROUND

Few studies have evaluated environmental changes to promote physical activity. The impact of a local promotional campaign around a newly constructed Rail Trail in western Sydney, Australia, was assessed.

METHODS

Pre and post-campaign telephone surveys were used. Adults 18-55 years of age were randomly sampled from an "inner" area, residents within < or =1.5 km of the Trail, and an "outer" area, bike-owners only, 1.5-5 km from the Trail. Objective concurrent monitoring of daily bike counts was carried out.

RESULTS

A cohort of 450 completed both interviews. A significant increase (+2.9%, McNemar P < 0.05) in unprompted Trail awareness was detected but post-campaign awareness was low (34%). Inner cyclists, males, and those recalling any baseline bike promotion messages were more likely to be aware of the Trail. Trail usage was higher among bike-owners than pedestrians (8.9 vs 3.3%, P = 0.014) and was moderated by proximity to the Trail. Inner cyclists increased mean cycling time by 0.19 h (SD = 1.5) while outer cyclists decreased cycling time (-0.24 h, SD = 1.6). Mean daily bike counts in the monitored areas increased significantly after the Trail launch (OR = 1.35, P = 0.0001, and OR = 1.23, P = 0.0004).

CONCLUSIONS

The campaign reached and influenced cyclists in the inner area. For further increase in Trail usage promotional and educational programs focusing on walking for inner residents are needed.

Six-minute walk performance and quality of life comparisons in North Carolina cardiac rehabilitation programs

OBJECTIVE

The purposes of this study were (1). to determine if six-minute walk (6MW) performance improved after short-term cardiac rehabilitation (CR) across multiple outpatient programs; (2). to examine differences in 6MW performance by patient age, sex, and race; and (3). to determine what relationships existed, if any, between 6MW performance and subscales of the Ferrans and Powers' Quality of Life Index-Cardiac Version III (QOLI).

DESIGN

Study design was nonexperimental, prospective, and comparative.

SETTING

Study setting included 14 outpatient CR programs from urban and rural settings across North Carolina.

PATIENTS

Adults aged 40 to 89 years (N = 630; men = 424 [67%], women = 206 [33%]; mean age, 61 +/- 10.32 years) with medically or surgically treated coronary heart disease enrolled in outpatient CR.

OUTCOME MEASURES

Study measures included scores on the QOLI and distance walked (feet) on the 6MW test.

RESULTS

Six-minute walk tests and QOLI surveys were administered before and immediately after short-term CR participation. Six-minute walk distance increased for all patients in all age categories across programs after CR (P <.0001). As a group, women improved 6MW distance by 15% (1243.9 +/- 301.2 to 1435.3 +/- 298.1; P <.001). Men also improved 6MW distance by 15% (1463.3 +/- 339.5 to 1683.7 +/- 346.9; P <.001) and walked farther than women on both the initial and follow-up 6MW tests (P <.0001). By age, there were no differences in 6MW scores between men and women aged 40 to 49 years (n = 58) and 50 to 59 years (n = 140; P = 0.54). Both of these age groups had greater initial and discharge 6MW scores than those aged 70 to 79 years (n = 183) and 80 to 89 years (n = 22; P <.001). Those aged 60 to 69 years (n = 227) had lower 6MW scores than those aged 40 to 49 years (P = 0.001) and 50 to 59 years (P <.05), and greater scores than those aged 70 to 79 years (P <.05) and 80 to 89 years (P <.05). Those aged 70 to 79 years had greater initial and follow-up 6MW scores than those aged 80 to 89 years(P <.001). Overall improvements in 6MW performance were found in both white subjects (n = 575; P <.001) and African-Americans (n = 54; P <.001). There were no apparent relationships between 6MW performance and overall or Health and Function QOLI scores (r <.21).

CONCLUSIONS

Participation in short-term outpatient CR improved 6MW performance in patients aged 40 to 89 years across 14 programs in North Carolina. No relationships were found between 6MW performance and any domain of the QOLI, including the Health and Function domain.

Epidemiology of falls among community-dwelling elderly people

The purpose of the present study was to report the prevalence and circumstances of falls among community-dwelling elderly people in order to contribute to prevention of falls in the community. The subjects were 2,774 elderly people who participated in health examinations conducted by Tokoname-shi, Aichi Prefecture in 2002. The variables investigated in the present study were demography and history of falls in the past one-year. Circumstances of falls, e.g. time, location, activities associated with falls, cause of falls and degree of injury due to falls were asked when the subjects experienced a fall. The prevalence of falls among 2,774 subjects was 13.7%. It was significantly higher among women (17.2%) than men (8.3%, chi 2 = 48.1, p < 0.001). Prevalence increased as subjects get older. Circumstances of falls were assessed in 655 subjects. The distribution of time, location, activity associated with falls, cause and injury due to falls corresponded with previous fall studies among community dwelling elderly people. The incidence of falls was extremely high during the daytime and outdoors. Falls occurred most frequently while walking. The majority of falls were due to extrinsic factors. About 10% of all falls caused fracture.

Alcohol and/or other drug use among adult non-occupant motor vehicle crash victims

AIMS

To identify the frequency of current or lifetime history of alcohol and/or other drug (AOD) use among the full range (admitted and discharged) of injured bicyclists and pedestrians involved in motor vehicle crashes.

METHODS

In a prospective study of non-occupant motor vehicle crash (NOMVC) victims >or=18 years over a 29-month period, blood was obtained for alcohol and drug testing. Current alcohol abuse/alcohol dependence (AA/AD) or drug abuse/drug dependence (DA/DD) was based on the Diagnostic Interview Survey.

RESULTS

In all, there were 108 NOMVC victims. Eleven per cent were alcohol (+), 7% drug (+), and 3% both. Sixteen per cent were AA/AD (+), 2.7% DA/DD (+), and 1.4% both.

CONCLUSIONS

A substantial portion of patients with NOMVC injuries tested AOD (+) and had a current or lifetime substance abuse (AA/AD; DA/DD) diagnosis.

Average patient walking activity approaches 2 million cycles per year: pedometers under-record walking activity

A two-dimensional accelerometer worn on the ankle (step activity monitor [SAM]; Prosthetic Research Study, Seattle, WA) has been proved to be highly accurate for assessing walking activity. The walking activity of 33 patients with well-functioning total hip arthroplasties was measured continuously during daily life, simultaneously with a pedometer and a SAM. The SAM recorded an average of 1.9 million cycles/y. The pedometer under-recorded an average of 34% cycles per day compared with the SAM (P=.0007), but the 2 measures were highly correlated (r=0.66; P=.001). No difference was seen in the number of gait cycles per day between men and women. The previously reported difference in average walking activity between men and women is due to greater under-recording of the pedometer in women, especially those with a body mass index > or =27. The pedometer is more reliable in quantifying the walking activity of men, less obese women, and patients with >1 million gait cycles/y.

Exposure to traffic among urban children injured as pedestrians

OBJECTIVES

To explore the immediate pre-crash activities and the routine traffic exposure (street crossing and play) in a sample of urban children struck by automobiles. In particular, the traffic exposure of children who were struck while playing was compared with that of those struck while crossing streets.

DESIGN

Cross sectional survey.

SETTING

Urban pediatric emergency department.

PATIENTS

A total of 139 children ages 4-15 years evaluated for acute injuries resulting from pedestrian-motor vehicle collisions during a 14 month period.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Sites of outdoor play, daily time in outdoor play, weekly number of street crossings, pre-crash circumstance (play v walking).

RESULTS

Altogether 39% of the children routinely used the street and 64% routinely used the sidewalks as play areas. The median number of street crossings per week per child was 27. There were no differences in exposures for the 29% who were hit while playing compared with the 71% who were hit while walking. Although 84% of the children walked to or from school at least one day per week, only 15% of the children were struck while on the school walking trip. The remainder were injured either while playing outdoors or while walking to other places.

CONCLUSIONS

Urban children who are victims of pedestrian crashes have a high level of traffic exposure from a variety of circumstances related to their routine outdoor playing and street crossing activities. The distributions of traffic exposures were similar across the sample, indicating that the sample as a whole had high traffic exposure, regardless of the children's activity preceding the crash. Future pedestrian injury programs should address the pervasive nature of children's exposure to traffic during their routine outdoor activities.

Barriers to children walking and biking to school--United States, 1999

Physical activity is an important part of a healthy lifestyle; however, many children in the United States do not meet recommended levels of physical activity. Although walking and biking to school can increase physical activity among children, motor-vehicle traffic and other factors can make these activities difficult. The majority of U.S. children do not walk or bike to school, approximately one third ride a school bus, and half are driven in a private vehicle. Less than one trip in seven is made by walking or biking. To examine why the majority of children do not walk or bike to school, CDC analyzed data from the national HealthStyles Survey. This report summarizes the results of that analysis, which indicate that long distances and dangerous motor-vehicle traffic pose the most common barriers to children walking and biking to school. Public health and community-based efforts that encourage walking and biking to school should address these barriers.

School transportation modes--Georgia, 2000

Moderate physical activity (e.g., walking or bicycling) offers substantial health benefits. Physical activity is especially important for young persons not only because of its immediate benefits but also because participation in healthy behaviors early in life might lead to healthier lifestyles in adulthood. Persons aged > 2 years should engage in > or = 30 minutes of moderately intense physical activity on all or most days of the week. However, sedentary after-school activities (e.g., watching television or using computers), decreased participation in physical education, and fewer students walking or riding their bicycles to school might contribute to the high rate of childhood obesity. Walking to school provides a convenient opportunity for children to be physically active. To examine modes of transportation to school for Georgia children, the Georgia Division of Public Health analyzed data from the Georgia Asthma Survey conducted during May-August 2000. This report summarizes the results of that analysis, which indicate that < 19% of Georgia school-aged children who live < or = 1 mile from school walk to school the majority of days of the week. Statewide surveillance data of school transportation modes should be collected to monitor prevalence of walking to school.

Major amputations of the lower leg. The patients two years later

The most devastating consequence of vascular disease of the lower extremity is amputation. Although considered as the end of the efforts of the vascular procedures, it should not be considered the end of medical treatment of the patient. The purpose of this study was to determine the situation of patients who suffered a major amputation of the lower leg due to ischemic vascular disease, at least two years after this event.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Forty-eight patients who had major amputation had their chart reviewed and were contacted to inform about the current conditions of rehabilitation. In case of death, the causes of dismissal were obtained. The degree of rehabilitation was compared to the preoperative level of selfishness.

RESULTS

Before amputation, 15 patients had an independent life, 21 could walk up to 500 meters, seven were confined to a wheel-chair or used crutches and five were bedridden. At least two years later, 54.2% of the patients died and only nine were fully rehabilitated (18.8% of all the patients and 40.9% of the living patients).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients who suffer amputation due to vascular disease do have a low survival rate after two years. Among the survivors, only few patients do have clinical conditions to regain a regular situation of autonomy.

Physical activity patterns among walkers and compliance with public health recommendations

PURPOSE

Walking is the most common leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) among U.S. adults. The purpose of this study was to estimate the prevalence of walking for physical activity and the proportion of walkers who met current public health physical activity recommendations.

METHODS

We analyzed data from the 1998 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, a collection of state-based, random-digit-dialed telephone surveys of adults. Physical activity measures included the type, frequency, and duration of the two LTPAs in which respondents engaged most often during the previous month. We calculated the prevalence of walking and the prevalence of three physical activity patterns defined by combinations of walking duration and frequency. We also examined the effect on these patterns of participating in a second LTPA.

RESULTS

In 1998, an estimated 38.6% of U.S. adults walked for physical activity. Among walkers, 21.3% walked a minimum of 30 min five or more times per week. This approximates compliance with current physical activity recommendations. Compliance increased to 34.5% when the criteria were relaxed to include at least 150 min of walking per week accumulated over three or more occasions. Relaxing the criteria further to include a minimum of 150 min.wk(-1) regardless of frequency produced only a small increase in compliance (37.6%). However, compliance with each of these three activity patterns approximately doubled when a second LTPA was taken into account.

CONCLUSIONS

Less than 40% of walkers complied through walking with even our most liberal physical activity pattern (> or =150 min.wk(-1) regardless of frequency). For walkers to meet current public health recommendations, many need to walk more frequently and/or to engage in additional physical activities.

[Marked injury decline among pedestrians 1987-1994]

A retrospective case study from The Swedish Hospital Discharge Register was performed. There were 8,684 pedestrians in collision with motor vehicles, a total of 12,036 episodes, treated in Swedish hospitals from 1987-1994. Fifty three percent were men and 47% women, having a median age of 47 (range 1-100) years. In average, 17.6 persons were admitted/100,000 population/year. The annual incidence of injured pedestrians in Sweden decreased significantly during this period. Injuries to the extremities were commonest (39% fractures), followed by injuries to the head and neck (34%). The total number of deaths in our series of patients was 444 (5%). Among these, more than half had head, 1/5 orthopaedic, 1/20 abdominal or thoracic injuries. Among pedestrians hit by motor vehicles injuries to the extremities were commonest, followed by injuries to the head and neck. The usual victim was an old person. Five percent of the patients treated in hospital died.

Validation of walking questionnaire for population-based prospective studies in Japan: comparison with pedometer

PURPOSE

To assess the reproducibility and validity of a single-item, self-administered questionnaire on walking used in two population-based prospective cohort studies in northern Japan, using pedometer counts as the reference standard.

METHODS

Fifty-one men and 55 women participating in the main cohort studies (mean age: 61.7 years) responded to a question on the average duration of walking per day five times at 3-month intervals. The subjects also provided 3 consecutive days of pedometer counts four times along with the first four questionnaire surveys.

RESULTS

For the first and the fifth questionnaires administered one year apart, 55% of the subjects chose concordant categories among three options (< or = 30 min/ between 30 and 60 min/> or = 60 min), and 13% chose the highest category in one questionnaire and the lowest in the other questionnaire. The sex- and age-adjusted mean daily numbers of walking steps counted by the pedometer were 5,857, 7,047, and 7,621 for the three categories of walking duration in the fifth questionnaire, and it showed significant linear associations with all of the five questionnaire measurements.

CONCLUSION

The single-item questionnaire on walking is reasonably reproducible and valid, and useful in studying the health effects of walking among the Japanese population.

"Walk in to Work Out": a randomised controlled trial of a self help intervention to promote active commuting

STUDY OBJECTIVE

To determine if a self help intervention, delivered via written interactive materials (the "Walk in to Work Out" pack), could increase active commuting behaviour (walking and cycling).

DESIGN

Randomised controlled trial. The intervention group received the "Walk in to Work Out" pack, which contained written interactive materials based on the transtheoretical model of behaviour change, local information about distances and routes, and safety information. The control group received the pack six months later. Focus groups were also conducted after six months.

SETTING

Three workplaces in the city of Glasgow, Scotland, UK.

PARTICIPANTS

295 employees who had been identified as thinking about, or doing some irregular, walking or cycling to work.

MAIN RESULTS

The intervention group was almost twice as likely to increase walking to work as the control group at six months (odds ratio of 1.93, 95% confidence intervals 1.06 to 3.52). The intervention was not successful at increasing cycling. There were no distance travelled to work, gender, or age influences on the results. Twenty five per cent (95% confidence intervals 17% to 32%) of the intervention group, who received the pack at baseline, were regularly actively commuting at the 12 month follow up.

CONCLUSION

The "Walk in to Work Out" pack was successful in increasing walking but not cycling. The environment for cycling must be improved before cycling will become a popular option.

Measuring physical activity in public open space--an electronic device versus direct observation

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the practicality and validity of using infra-red beam counters (IRBCs) to measure walking path use and overall park use.

METHOD

Direct observation was carried out simultaneously with IRBC data collection in five parks on seven non-consecutive days during February-March in 1998 and on matched days in 1999. A second validation study was undertaken in one park in October 1999.

RESULTS

The IRBC over-estimated the observed number of people using walking paths by 14% to 78%. When assessed by path volume, the difference between the IRBC and observer ranged from 10% under-estimation to 16% over-estimation. In a more rigorous evaluation of path volume the IRBC under-estimated the observed count by 20%. The extent to which the IRBC equated with the number of observed park users varied from 69% under-estimation to no difference.

CONCLUSION

IRBCs are not appropriate for measuring the number of people engaging in physical activity in parks.

IMPLICATIONS

IRBCs cannot replace direct observation for the collection of valid data on physical activity participation in parks. Further research is needed to determine settings in which electronic devices such as IRBCs may provide valid data on physical activity participation.

Commuting, leisure-time physical activity, and cardiovascular risk factors in China

PURPOSE

The relationship between both commuting and leisure-time physical activity and selected cardiovascular risk factors was analyzed.

METHODS

A cross-sectional survey was carried out in 1996 in urban Tianjin, China. A total of 2002 male and 1974 female subjects aged 15-69 yr completed the survey. Commuting, leisure-time physical activity, body mass index, blood pressure, and cigarette smoking were determined.

RESULTS

Doing more than 60 min of commuting physical activity or combined commuting and leisure-time physical activity was related to the highest mean blood pressure and the highest prevalence of hypertension among both genders compared with going to and from work by bus; 31-60 min commuting only or commuting plus leisure-time physical activity was associated with the lowest mean blood pressure in women and the lowest prevalence of hypertension in both genders. Daily time on commuting or leisure-time physical activity was inversely related to mean body mass index and prevalence of overweight among men and prevalence of smoking among both genders.

CONCLUSION

The present study suggests that commuting and leisure-time physical activity were favorably associated with cardiovascular risk factors in this Chinese population, except that more than 60 min of physical activity was associated with high blood pressure.

A new accelerometric method to assess the daily walking practice

OBJECTIVE

To describe a method to obtain a profile of the duration and intensity (speed) of walking periods over 24 hours in women under free-living conditions.

DESIGN

A new method based on accelerometry was designed for analyzing walking activity. In order to take into account inter-individual variability of acceleration, an individual calibration process was used. Different experiments were performed to highlight the variability of acceleration vs walking speed relationship, to analyze the speed prediction accuracy of the method, and to test the assessment of walking distance and duration over 24-h.

SUBJECTS

Twenty-eight women were studied (mean+/-s.d.) age: 39.3+/-8.9 y; body mass: 79.7+/-11.1 kg; body height: 162.9+/-5.4 cm; and body mass index (BMI) 30.0+/-3.8 kg/m(2).

RESULTS

Accelerometer output was significantly correlated with speed during treadmill walking (r=0.95, P<0.01), and short unconstrained walks (r=0.86, P<0.01), although with a large inter-individual variation of the regression parameters. By using individual calibration, it was possible to predict walking speed on a standard urban circuit (predicted vs measured r=0.93, P<0.01, s.e.e.=0.51 km/h). In the free-living experiment, women spent on average 79.9+/-36.0 (range: 31.7-168.2) min/day in displacement activities, from which discontinuous short walking activities represented about 2/3 and continuous ones 1/3. Total walking distance averaged 2.1+/-1.2 (range: 0.4-4.7) km/day. It was performed at an average speed of 5.0+/-0.5 (range: 4.1-6.0) km/h.

CONCLUSION

An accelerometer measuring the anteroposterior acceleration of the body can estimate walking speed together with the pattern, intensity and duration of daily walking activity.

Physical activity during leisure and commuting in Tianjin, China

OBJECTIVE

To investigate physical activity during leisure time and commuting among persons aged 15-69 years in the urban population of Tianjin, China, and to assess its associations with demographic and health-related characteristics.

METHODS

In 1996 a cross-sectional survey of 2002 males and 1974 females provided information on physical activity during leisure time and commuting and on demographics and health behaviours.

FINDINGS

No leisure-time physical activity was engaged in by 67% of females and 61% of males. However, only 4% of females and 9% of males reported an absence of physical activity during commuting. The mean duration of leisure-time physical activity for the whole population was about 10 min per day. The average commuting time on foot or by bicycle was about 30 min. Leisure-time physical activity was more frequent among highly educated people, people with high incomes, white-collar workers, married people, non-smokers, or people commuting on foot or by bicycle than among other people. Persons with low incomes, male blue-collar workers and married people were more likely than others to engage in 30 min or more per day of physical activity on foot or by bicycle when commuting.

CONCLUSION

People in Tianjin engaged in a high level of physical activity when commuting and a low level of leisure-time physical activity.