Introduction

Few Canadian children meet physical activity guidelines. Active transportation to school may be a way to increase physical activity and walking school buses have shown promise; yet, few studies consider Northern settings.

Methods

Experiences of individuals and factors related to implementation of a walking school bus pilot in Northeastern Ontario were explored using semi-structured interviews (parents), and focus groups (students and conductors). Data were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and categorized using thematic analyses.

Results

Six themes emerged from the data: (1) Health and Social Benefits; (2) Learning Safety Skills; (3) Participant Satisfaction; (4) Environmental Factors; (5) Implementation Challenges; and (6) Moving Forward. Taken together, an increase in physical activity, socializing and community participation, being outdoors, benefits to mental health, knowledge of road safety, and perceptions of environmental influences were revealed as positive outcomes. Although conductors and students were worried about distance, parents perceived the distance as acceptable. Despite initial challenges, participants generally agreed the pilot was well organized. University student volunteers played a large role in success.

Conclusions

In Northeastern environments, opportunities for active transportation to school and physical activity are influenced by many factors. Sustained initiatives are needed to improve upon the determinants of active transportation to school at the various ecological levels where they can be most effectively targeted.

中文翻译：

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鼓励积极的上学交通：在安大略省东北部实施步行校车计划的经验教训

介绍

很少有加拿大儿童符合体育锻炼准则。积极的上学交通可能是增加体育锻炼的一种方式，步行的校车已显示出希望。然而，很少有研究考虑北方环境。

方法

使用半结构化访谈（父母）和焦点小组（学生和指挥），探索了安大略省东北部实施步行校车驾驶员的个人经历和相关因素。数据经过录音，逐字记录，并使用主题分析进行分类。

结果

数据显示出六个主题：（1）健康和社会效益；（2）学习安全技能；（3）参与者的满意程度；（4）环境因素；（5）实施挑战；（6）前进。总的来说，积极的结果表明，体育活动，社交和社区参与，户外活动，对心理健康的好处，道路安全知识以及对环境影响的认识的增加。尽管指挥和学生担心距离，但父母认为距离是可以接受的。尽管存在最初的挑战，但参与者普遍认为飞行员组织得很好。大学生志愿者在成功中发挥了重要作用。

结论

在东北地区，积极上学和体育锻炼的机会受到许多因素的影响。需要采取持续的举措，以改善在各个生态层面上主动上学的决定因素，这些因素可以最有效地作为目标。