Physical Activity and Active Transportation

Canadian Fitness and Lifestyle Research Institute

- www.cflri.ca -

Physical activity and healthThe role of active transportation Active transportation research &

resourcesPromoting and advocating for

active transportation

Cost of inactivity Benefits of ActivityRecommended AmountsParticipation Rates

Physical Activity and Health

Cost of Physical Inactivity

Direct

Indirect

Direct costs include medical costs to treat coronary heart disease, hypertension, stroke, breast cancer, colon cancer, type 2 diabetes, and osteoporosis.Indirect costs include the value of economic output lost because of illness, injury-related work disability, or premature death.

$1.6 billion

$3.7 billion

Total: $5.3 billion

Katzmarzyk & Janssen. Can J Appl Physiol 2004;29:90-115.

Physical Activity and Health Benefits

All cause mortality

Cardiovascular disease

Some cancers

Hypertension

Osteoporosis

Musculoskeletal fitness and health Mental health Functioning and independent living in later life

How much is enough? 30 minutes of moderate intensity exercise (e.g., brisk

walking) on most days of the week: • significant reductions in all-cause and cardiovascular

related mortality • lower risk of hypertension

Even higher durations: • lower risks of colon and breast cancer • maintenance of body mass / prevention of weight gain

Resistance and flexibility improvement:• improved musculoskeletal fitness• reduced risk of osteoporosis • helps control of hypertension

Limit television watching to less than 10 hours per week.

49% Canadian adults are at least moderately active

35% are overweight and 16% are obeseabout 60% report very good overall

health8% report Type 2 diabetesnearly 3 in 10 report high blood pressure1 in 10 report heart disease

Physical Activity and Health

Fits into everyday lifeEnvironmental benefitsSocial benefitsEconomic benefits

Active Transportation as a source of Physical Activity

Walking and cycling • accessible,

• prevalent

• popular

Along with public transport • environmentally friendly

• sustainable

The Role of Active Transportation

Environmental Impact of Motorized Transportation Dependency

Green house Gas Emissions Urban Sprawl

Social Capital

Economic Benefits

Active Transportation BulletinsResearch File & Lifestyle TipsNational Population SurveysActive Living Potential

MeasurementPublication in Peer Reviewed

Journals

Active Transportation Research and Resources at CFLRI

“Elevator Speech” documentsFacts, and quotes for professionals and

community members who want to build a case for active transportation in their community

Intended to increase knowledge on the link with each topic and active transportation

Share with:• municipal council members • municipal staff responsible for land-use planning,

transportation, public utilities, social services, parks, recreation and building codes

Active Transportation Bulletins

No 1: Health Benefits No 2: Barriers No 3: Economic BenefitsNo 4: Environmental BenefitsNo 5: Built InfrastructureNo 6: SafetyNo 7: Increasing Social CapitalNo 8: Role for Municipal Decision Makers

Active Transportation Bulletins

Recent research in physical activity and healthy living

The Research File • practitioners

Lifestyle Tips• general public

Research File and Lifestyle Tips

Sedentary Behaviours / Simple Steps to an Active New Year (January 2009)

Active Transportation (April 2009)Policy Advocacy (July 2009)Health Benefits of Physical Activity for

Adults (August 2009)Public Transit and Physical Activity

(September 2009)

Recent Topics of Interest

Current situation and a system for tracking change

Assess overall change and potential impact of policies and strategies

Incorporates findings and recommendations from the published literature

Population SurveysPhysical Activity Monitor

Prevalence of walking and cyclingSupportive physical environments

• Proximity to amenities    • Places to walk and bicycle• Crime rates • Traffic

Community infrastructure• Walking trails   • Designated bike lanes, trails, paths   • Recreation trails   • Designated facilities    

Commuting • Active choices for children and for adults

Physical Activity Monitor

• 26% of children use active modes of transportation to get to school, 13% use mixed modes

Physical Activity MonitorWalking and cycling

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

Adults Men Women Children Boys Girls

Leisure time walking Leisure time cycling

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

< 1000 1,000 - 4,000 5,000 - 9,999 10,000 -74,999

75,000 -200,000

> 300,000

Facilities by community size

Strongly agree there are sidewalks on the streetsStrongly agree there are facilities to bicycleMany places to safely walkMany places to safely bicycle

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

<$20,000 $20,000 -29,999

$30,000 -39,999

$40,000 -59,999

$60,000 -79,999

$80,000 -99,999

>$100,000

Facilities by annual household income

Many places to safely walk Many places to safely bike

walking as a leisure or recreational activity

proportion of people who live within a reasonable walking distance (2.5 km) of at least one routine destination

walking to a routine destination at least sometimes, but decrease in doing so at least half the time

cycling for leisure and recreation, and for utilitarian travel

National Transportation Survey Changes from 1998 to 2004:

Would like to walk and cycle moreFeel that governments have a role to play in

supporting active transportationAgree that they have pleasant places to walk

near their homeAre uneasy about traffic safety when it

comes to cycling

National Transportation Survey Adult Canadians

Half do not walk to school Three-quarters do not cycle to school Parents say the school is too far Safety is somewhat of a concern

• an improvement in safety would not change the likelihood that child would travel to school using an active mode

National Transportation SurveyChildren

Walking or Wheeling to Routine Destinations in the previous twelve months

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60%

To place to pursue leisure activities

To place usually shop or do errands

To visit friends or family

To nearest bus stop

To child's school

To school

To work

At least sometimes

Reasons to Walk or Cycle for Transportation

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

Exercise &health

Practicality &convenience

Pleasure

Walking Cycling

Facilitating Walking

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80%

Better health

Better weather conditions

Safer trails and paths

Better routes, a well linked network

More pleasant routes

Better maintenance of trails & paths

Tax incentives to walk to work

Reduce volume or speed of traffic

Showers, lockers or change rooms

More route information

Facilitating Cycling

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80%

Better weather conditions

Increased safety in traffic

Better health

More designated or better designed lanes

Better routes and connectivity

Safer trails, paths, lanes

Better maintenance of trails, paths, lanes

Safe bicycle storage

More pleasant routes, better scenery

Tax incentives from governments

• Scientifically valid and reliable tool that measures:• Activity friendliness

• Safety

• Density of destinations

• Numerous studies published in peer reviewed Journals

Neighbourhood Active Living Assessment Potential Score

PoliticalMediaProfessional mobilizationCommunity mobilizationMobilization from within

Advocacy

Build relationships with key policy makersIdentify a political champion Construct arguments around a government’s

existing policy priorities Focus arguments for physical inactivity

interventions on relevance across government sectors

Develop presentations Invite and involve politicians

Political Advocacy

Develop and strengthen links with media contacts

Identify and use high profile championsFrame media physical activity messages across

a diversity of public issues Use a variety of mediaDevelop message consistency and ‘sound bites’ Conduct research to support media storiesIdentify human interest anglesSeek and present photo opportunities

Media Advocacy

Strengthen links with professional alliesLead networks developmentUse conferences/meetings/symposiaConduct targeted workforce development

and training Encourage and support workforce

advocatesEquip professionals with arguments

regarding current issues, new evidence and breaking news to ensure that the messages are consistent and well informed.

Professional Mobilization

Mobilize participants in programs Establish and strengthen ongoing links with

local government Engage and support NGOsEncourage and support community members

as advocates Recognize/reward successful individuals and

programsAttempt to ‘shift norms’ Build into community events

Community Mobilization

Prioritise physical activity in strategic plans Recruit sympathetic board and committee

members Set an example to other organisations Run programs in your workplace and

engage the leadersInternal promotion through newsletters, e-

news, e-mailArrange praise from outside organizations

Advocacy from Within

Links from other websites Newsletters WorkshopsHandouts

Uses of CFLRI Resources

Uses of CFLRI Resources

“I often have the need to promote active transportation to other manager colleagues

and the need for flexibility and barrier removal for their staff. Being able to

provide credible concise documents from CFLRI will strengthen my arguments.”

“I guess I see the fact sheets as a credible source of information that almost anybody can use to create and reinforce arguments for what I see as a very

important opportunity to get people more active.”

Summary Active transportation contributes

to our physical, social and economic well being

Active transportation infrastructure make it the easy choice

There are opportunities to increase active transportation supports

Advocacy can help make this happen

Thank You!

- www.cflri.ca -