Stark Juliane, Meschik Michael
University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna, Department of Landscape, Spatial and Infrastructure Sciences, Institute of Transport Studies, Peter Jordan St. 82, 1190 Vienna, Austria.
Children (Basel). 2024 Dec 22;11(12):1556. doi: 10.3390/children11121556.
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Studies indicate a decline in children's physical activity (PA) levels, active mobility, and psychomotor skills, reflected in poorer cycling abilities. These trends are worrying given the rising prevalence of childhood obesity and sedentary lifestyles. This study assessed cycling skills among primary school children in Lower Austria, comparing self-perceptions with objective assessments, and explores the relationship between cycling skills, PA levels, and school performance, as well as the impact of cycling training on skill development.
A multi-level approach was employed, including cycling tests and interviews with children, parents, and teachers. Children's cycling skills were evaluated through objective assessments, while parents and children provided self-assessments. Interviews explored children's preferences, physical activity and travel habits, and school performance.
Overall, the children's cycling skills were rated as good, though turning left, slalom, and emergency braking proved particularly challenging. Significant discrepancies were identified between objective assessments and self-perceptions, with many children-especially girls-overestimating their abilities. Despite some tendencies, no significant associations were found between PA levels or school performance and cycling skills. However, cycling training was significantly associated with improvements in cycling skills.
In light of children's strong preference for incorporating more cycling into their daily travel patterns, the findings underscore the importance of policies promoting safer school environments and encouraging parental support for cycling. More targeted cycling training programs are needed to further enhance children's skills. It is also important to address the tendency of parents to overestimate their children's cycling abilities. These measures could help foster greater use of bicycles for school commutes and improve children's cycling competence and overall health outcomes.
背景/目的：研究表明儿童的身体活动（PA）水平、主动出行能力和心理运动技能有所下降，这在较差的骑行能力中有所体现。鉴于儿童肥胖和久坐生活方式的患病率不断上升，这些趋势令人担忧。本研究评估了下奥地利州小学生的骑行技能，将自我认知与客观评估进行比较，并探讨骑行技能、PA水平与学业成绩之间的关系，以及骑行训练对技能发展的影响。
采用多层次方法，包括骑行测试以及对儿童、家长和教师的访谈。通过客观评估来评价儿童的骑行技能，同时家长和儿童提供自我评估。访谈探讨了儿童的偏好、身体活动和出行习惯以及学业成绩。
总体而言，儿童的骑行技能被评为良好，不过向左转弯、障碍赛和紧急刹车被证明特别具有挑战性。在客观评估和自我认知之间发现了显著差异，许多儿童——尤其是女孩——高估了自己的能力。尽管存在一些趋势，但在PA水平或学业成绩与骑行技能之间未发现显著关联。然而，骑行训练与骑行技能的提高显著相关。
鉴于儿童强烈倾向于在日常出行模式中增加骑行，研究结果强调了促进更安全的学校环境以及鼓励家长支持骑行的政策的重要性。需要更有针对性的骑行训练计划来进一步提高儿童的技能。解决家长高估孩子骑行能力的倾向也很重要。这些措施有助于促进更多地使用自行车进行上下学通勤，并提高儿童的骑行能力和整体健康状况。
