Caracterização do esforço físico gerado por indivíduos que utilizam a bicicleta como meio de transporte em área urbana

Abstract

The use of the bicycle as a means of transport is considered a sustainable and healthy behavior. However, little is known about the characteristic of physical effort employed by individuals during their usual paths. Therefore, this study sought to characterize the physical effort performed by individuals who use the bicycle as a means of transportation in urban environments during their usual routes. In addition, it was analyzed whether the physical effort employed during these routes would be enough to reach the recommendations of physical activity for health promotion. Twenty adults (22-42 years old) who use the bicycle as a means of transport (≥ 3 days/week) were monitored for seven days in their usual routes using a Global Positioning System (GPS) with heart rate monitor (FC). We analyzed: (i) distance traveled; (ii) duration and slope of the course; (iii) speed of travel; and (iv) time spent on light exertion intensity (<64% HRmax), moderate (64-76% HRmax) and vigorous (> 76% of HRmax). The data are described in average and 25th and 75th percentiles. The individuals covered a distance of 3.8 km (2.6-5.9 km) per course in 13.1 min (10.6 - 20.9 min) with Average elevation of 30.1 m (16.2 - 70.9 m) at an average speed of 16.9 km / h (14 - 17.8 km/h). The time spent on mild exertion was 19.9% (12.6 - 29.3%), moderated 46.1% (40.9 - 54.4%) and vigorous 29.9% (12.5 - 44, 9%). Considering the total volume of routes performed during the week, 50% of the sample (n = 10) reached the recommendations of physical activity for health promotion (at least 150 min of moderate-vigorous physical activity) only using the bicycle as a means of transportation. We conclude that the physical effort performed by individuals who use the bicycle as a means of transportation in urban areas is predominantly moderate-vigorous. Therefore, besides being a sustainable option, the use of the bicycle as a means of transportation seems to be an interesting alternative to reach the recommendations of physical activity for health promotion.