Role of commuting characteristics on physical and mental health among members at university institutions (DiNaMo-active): a protocol for an observational study

Insufficient physical activity is associated with numerous widespread diseases, productivity loss, and sick leave at the workplace. A physically active way to work is a potential resource for implementing regular physical activity into daily life. However, there is a lack of data on the duration and...

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Main Authors: Uwe Tegtbur, Sven Haufe, Johanna Boyen, Mailin Beyer, Sarah Wussow-Hampel, Lothar Stein, Lea Sophie Schmidt
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMJ Publishing Group 2025-06-01
Series:BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine
Online Access:https://bmjopensem.bmj.com/content/11/2/e002665.full
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author Uwe Tegtbur
Sven Haufe
Johanna Boyen
Mailin Beyer
Sarah Wussow-Hampel
Lothar Stein
Lea Sophie Schmidt
author_facet Uwe Tegtbur
Sven Haufe
Johanna Boyen
Mailin Beyer
Sarah Wussow-Hampel
Lothar Stein
Lea Sophie Schmidt
author_sort Uwe Tegtbur
collection DOAJ
description Insufficient physical activity is associated with numerous widespread diseases, productivity loss, and sick leave at the workplace. A physically active way to work is a potential resource for implementing regular physical activity into daily life. However, there is a lack of data on the duration and physical exertion involved and the potential health benefits of physically active commuting compared with passive commuting.Digitalisation for Sustainable Mobility (DiNaMo)-active is a prospective, observational trial to characterise commuting habits among employees and students at four higher educational institutions in Hannover (Germany) and estimate their short and long-term impact on health-related and economic issues. We will use wearable activity trackers and questionnaires to examine the long-term influences of active (by foot or by bicycle) or passive (eg, private cars, motorbikes, scooters or public transportation) commuting on physical and mental outcomes among students and university employees. We will also apply more in-depth physiological measures like continuous glucose monitoring, ambulatory blood pressure recordings and particulate matter concentrations to compare the short-term effects of active versus passive commuting on physiological regulations during commuting, working and time after work.Facilitating physically active and sustainable transportation could contribute to a healthier lifestyle and reduce road traffic and greenhouse gas emissions. The way to work as a potential resource for a physically active and sustainable form of commuting is rarely studied, and our results might provide relevant information for policymakers and occupational health experts.This observational trial is prospectively registered (DiNaMo-active NCT06493006).Protocol version 1.0 (15 April 2025).
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spelling doaj-art-d26f18b70ea1455e9ef2aabc31266f842025-08-20T03:31:14ZengBMJ Publishing GroupBMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine2055-76472025-06-0111210.1136/bmjsem-2025-002665Role of commuting characteristics on physical and mental health among members at university institutions (DiNaMo-active): a protocol for an observational studyUwe Tegtbur0Sven Haufe1Johanna Boyen2Mailin Beyer3Sarah Wussow-Hampel4Lothar Stein5Lea Sophie Schmidt6Institute of Sports Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, GermanyInstitute of Sports Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, GermanyInstitute of Sports Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, GermanyDepartment for Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hanover, GermanyDepartment for Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hanover, GermanyClinic for Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, GermanyDepartment for Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hanover, GermanyInsufficient physical activity is associated with numerous widespread diseases, productivity loss, and sick leave at the workplace. A physically active way to work is a potential resource for implementing regular physical activity into daily life. However, there is a lack of data on the duration and physical exertion involved and the potential health benefits of physically active commuting compared with passive commuting.Digitalisation for Sustainable Mobility (DiNaMo)-active is a prospective, observational trial to characterise commuting habits among employees and students at four higher educational institutions in Hannover (Germany) and estimate their short and long-term impact on health-related and economic issues. We will use wearable activity trackers and questionnaires to examine the long-term influences of active (by foot or by bicycle) or passive (eg, private cars, motorbikes, scooters or public transportation) commuting on physical and mental outcomes among students and university employees. We will also apply more in-depth physiological measures like continuous glucose monitoring, ambulatory blood pressure recordings and particulate matter concentrations to compare the short-term effects of active versus passive commuting on physiological regulations during commuting, working and time after work.Facilitating physically active and sustainable transportation could contribute to a healthier lifestyle and reduce road traffic and greenhouse gas emissions. The way to work as a potential resource for a physically active and sustainable form of commuting is rarely studied, and our results might provide relevant information for policymakers and occupational health experts.This observational trial is prospectively registered (DiNaMo-active NCT06493006).Protocol version 1.0 (15 April 2025).https://bmjopensem.bmj.com/content/11/2/e002665.full
spellingShingle Uwe Tegtbur
Sven Haufe
Johanna Boyen
Mailin Beyer
Sarah Wussow-Hampel
Lothar Stein
Lea Sophie Schmidt
Role of commuting characteristics on physical and mental health among members at university institutions (DiNaMo-active): a protocol for an observational study
BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine
title Role of commuting characteristics on physical and mental health among members at university institutions (DiNaMo-active): a protocol for an observational study
title_full Role of commuting characteristics on physical and mental health among members at university institutions (DiNaMo-active): a protocol for an observational study
title_fullStr Role of commuting characteristics on physical and mental health among members at university institutions (DiNaMo-active): a protocol for an observational study
title_full_unstemmed Role of commuting characteristics on physical and mental health among members at university institutions (DiNaMo-active): a protocol for an observational study
title_short Role of commuting characteristics on physical and mental health among members at university institutions (DiNaMo-active): a protocol for an observational study
title_sort role of commuting characteristics on physical and mental health among members at university institutions dinamo active a protocol for an observational study
url https://bmjopensem.bmj.com/content/11/2/e002665.full
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