Activity patterns and perceptions about active transport to school.

OBJECTIVES: To document physical activity patterns and perceptions about active transport to school. METHODS: Children's activity was measured. Children and parents were surveyed about active transport to school. RESULTS: Children were most active after (465 ± 20 cpm) and least active before (379 ± 18 cpm) and during school (351 ± 13 cpm). Weight was not related to activity. Boys were more confident than girls, whereas parents felt more confident than children did about active transport. CONCLUSIONS: Active transport programs will likely have a greater impact on before-school activity than after school. Perceptions concerning active transport should be assessed, and parent/child discrepancies rectified prior to program implementation.