Addendum published on 27 February 2020, see
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2020, 17(5), 1524.
Active School Transportation in Winter Conditions: Biking Together Is Warmer
1
Department of Health Sciences, Luleå University of Technology, 971 87 Luleå, Sweden
2
Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, 141 83 Huddinge, Sweden
3
Department of Medical and Health Sciences, Linköping University, 581 85 Linköping, Sweden
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2019, 16(2), 234; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16020234
Received: 23 November 2018
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Revised: 4 January 2019
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Accepted: 11 January 2019
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Published: 15 January 2019
(This article belongs to the Collection Physical Activity and Public Health)
There has been a decline in children’s use of active school transportation (AST) while there is also limited research concerning AST in winter conditions. This study aimed to explore the prerequisites and experiences of schoolchildren and parents participating in an empowerment- and gamification-inspired intervention to promote students’ AST in winter conditions. Methods: Thirty-five students, who were aged 12–13 years, and 34 parents from the north of Sweden participated in the study. Data were collected using photovoice and open questions in a questionnaire and analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Results: The results show that involvement and togetherness motivated the students to use AST. In addition, during the project, the parents changed to have more positive attitudes towards their children’s use of AST. The students reported that using AST during wintertime is strenuous but rewarding and imparts a sense of pride. Conclusion: Interventions for increasing students’ AST in winter conditions should focus on the motivational aspects for both children and parents. For overcoming parental hesitation with regards to AST during winter, addressing their concerns and empowering the students are key factors. To increase the use of AST all year around, targeting the challenges perceived during the winter is especially beneficial.
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Keywords:
active school transportation; children; empowerment; health promotion; parents; photovoice; physical activity
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MDPI and ACS Style
Lindqvist, A.-K.; Löf, M.; Ek, A.; Rutberg, S. Active School Transportation in Winter Conditions: Biking Together Is Warmer. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2019, 16, 234. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16020234
AMA Style
Lindqvist A-K, Löf M, Ek A, Rutberg S. Active School Transportation in Winter Conditions: Biking Together Is Warmer. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2019; 16(2):234. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16020234
Chicago/Turabian StyleLindqvist, Anna-Karin, Marie Löf, Anna Ek, and Stina Rutberg. 2019. "Active School Transportation in Winter Conditions: Biking Together Is Warmer" International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 16, no. 2: 234. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16020234
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