The Health Implications of

Active Transportation

20-Minute Neighborhoods
Peter Anderson
January 22, 2016

Overview

Chronic Disease Risk Factors

Active transportation is a healthy behavior
Your body is a machine full of energy
Your body is adaptable
Think about safety

Control
Beliefs
Perceived
Behaviora
l Control

Normativ
e Beliefs

Beliefs
About
Walking

Subjectiv
e Norms

Attitude
About
Walking

Intention
to Walk

Theory of Planned Behavior

Walking
Behavior

Environmental

Inherited/
Biological
Age
Gender
Race
Susceptibility to disease

Physical: air, water,

unsafe streets
Socioeconomic:
income, housing,
employment,
status, education
Social: divorce, death
of a loved one

Overal
l
Health
Risk

Behavioral
Smoking
Poor nutrition and
inactivity
Drinking alcohol
Overuse of medication
Fast driving/no seatbelt

Environmental

Inherited/
Biological
Age
Gender
Race
Susceptibility to disease

Physical: air, water,

unsafe streets
Socioeconomic:
income, housing,
employment,
status, education
Social: divorce, death
of a loved one

Overal
l
Health
Risk

Behavioral
Smoking
Poor nutrition and
inactivity
Drinking alcohol
Overuse of medication
Fast driving/no seatbelt

Physical Activity

Pyramid

Res
t or
Ina
ctiv
Flexibility
ity
stretching
2 or more days a Strength
week
resistance
training
Vigorous 1.25 hr/
Aerobic activity
wk
jogging and biking
Active recreation
soccer and kayaking
Moderate 2.5
Lifetime physical activity
hr/wk
walking rather than driving
use the stairs
even your yard work

Anatomy and Physiology

Our bodies are powerful muscular machines
Muscle contraction needs energy molecules from
Carbohydrates
Fats
Proteins

Unused energy is stored in the form of fat

Oxygen allows for aerobic metabolism
Active muscles pump blood back to heart

Changes from Exercise

ventilation rates
resting heart rate
blood pressure
body fat accumulation
systemic inflammation

Type 2 Diabetes
Atherosclerosis
Heart Attack
Ischemic Stroke
Peripheral Artery Disease

VO2 max
heart stroke volume
capillary supply in skeletal muscl
mitochondria in skeletal muscle
insulin sensitivity
brain function
neuron generation

Safety
Start slow (walk before you run)
Before dramatic increase in PA, consider seeing
your physician
Check out some safety tips at pedbikeINFO.org
http://www.pedbikeinfo.org/community/tips.cfm

Questions?

Chronic Disease Risk Factors

Active transportation is a healthy behavior
Your body is a machine full of energy
Your body is adaptable
Think about safety
Please visit
www.tpchd.org/WALKABILITY