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Active Commute in Relation to Cognition and Academic Achievement in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review and Future Recommendations

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  • Madhura Phansikar

    (Department of Kinesiology and Community Health, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL 61820, USA)

  • Sadia Anjum Ashrafi

    (Department of Kinesiology and Community Health, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL 61820, USA)

  • Naiman A. Khan

    (Department of Kinesiology and Community Health, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL 61820, USA)

  • William V. Massey

    (College of Public Health and Human Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA)

  • Sean P. Mullen

    (Department of Kinesiology and Community Health, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL 61820, USA
    Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
    Illinois Informatics Institute, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL 61820, USA)

Abstract

Active commuting to school (ACS) is an important source of physical activity among children. Recent research has focused on ACS and its benefits on cognition and academic achievement (AA), factors important for success in school. This review aims to synthesize literature on the relationship between ACS and cognition or AA among children and adolescents. Peer-reviewed articles in PubMed, Web of Science, PsycINFO and Cochrane Library assessing ACS with cognition and/or AA among children, until February 2019, were selected. Twelve studies across nine countries (age range 4–18.5 years) were included. One study used accelerometers, whereas all others used self-report measures of ACS. A wide range of objective assessments of cognitive functioning and AA domains were used. Five among eight studies, and four among six found a positive relationship between ACS and cognitive or AA measure, respectively. Four studies found dose–response relationships, and some studies found sex differences. The quantitative analysis found that ACS was not significantly associated with mathematics score (odds ratio = 1.18; CI = 0.40, 3.48). Findings are discussed in terms of methodological issues, potential confounders, and the strength of the evidence. Future studies should conduct longitudinal studies and use objective measures of ACS to understand this relationship further.

Suggested Citation

  • Madhura Phansikar & Sadia Anjum Ashrafi & Naiman A. Khan & William V. Massey & Sean P. Mullen, 2019. "Active Commute in Relation to Cognition and Academic Achievement in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review and Future Recommendations," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(24), pages 1-27, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:16:y:2019:i:24:p:5103-:d:297836
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Eva Savolainen & Stina Rutberg & Ylva Backman & Anna-Karin Lindqvist, 2020. "Long-Term Perspectives of a School-Based Intervention to Promote Active School Transportation," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(14), pages 1-13, July.
    2. Ana Barbosa & Stephen Whiting & Philippa Simmonds & Rodrigo Scotini Moreno & Romeu Mendes & João Breda, 2020. "Physical Activity and Academic Achievement: An Umbrella Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(16), pages 1-29, August.
    3. Saeed Esmaeli & Kayvan Aghabayk & Nirajan Shiwakoti, 2024. "Measuring the Effect of Built Environment on Students’ School Trip Method Using Neighborhood Environment Walkability Scale," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(5), pages 1-15, February.
    4. Pengxiang Ding & Suwei Feng, 2022. "How School Travel Affects Children’s Psychological Well-Being and Academic Achievement in China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(21), pages 1-13, October.
    5. Ana Rodrigues & Hélio Antunes & Ricardo Alves & Ana Luísa Correia & Helder Lopes & Bebiana Sabino & Adilson Marques & Andreas Ihle & Élvio Rúbio Gouveia, 2022. "Association between the Duration of the Active Commuting to and from School, and Cognitive Performance in Urban Portuguese Adolescents," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(23), pages 1-10, November.
    6. Ho Yeung Lam & Sisitha Jayasinghe & Kiran D. K. Ahuja & Andrew P. Hills, 2023. "Active School Commuting in School Children: A Narrative Review of Current Evidence and Future Research Implications," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(20), pages 1-20, October.
    7. Cristiana Mercê & Marco Branco & David Catela & Frederico Lopes & Rita Cordovil, 2022. "Learning to Cycle: From Training Wheels to Balance Bike," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(3), pages 1-14, February.

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