Abstract

Introduction: increased active commuting is associated with increases in cardiorespiratory fitness. Evidence in Chile is scarce. Objective: the aim of this study was to evaluate the association between cardiorespiratory fitness and active commuting in the Chilean population. Methodology: we analysed data from 5292 cases related to walking speed (brisk, normal, slow) and 1861 cases of active commuting via walking or cycling (measured in minutes) from the Chilean National Health Survey 2016-2017. The fitness was estimated using five equations. The association between fitness, walking speed, and active commuting was assessed through linear regression models, both unadjusted and adjusted for sociodemographic, anthropometric, and health-related confounding variables. Results: in the unadjusted models, "brisk" walking speed was associated with a fitness increase ranging from 3.3 to 4.5 mlO2/kg/min. After adjusting for sociodemographic, anthropometric, and health variables, the fitness increment for "brisk" walking speed ranged from 0.1 to 3.7 mlO2/kg/min in three models (all p < 0.001). Conversely, for every one-minute increase in active commuting via walking or cycling, the fitness increased between 0.06 and 0.07 mlO2/kg/min in four unadjusted models (p < 0.001). Consequently, a daily increase of 10 minutes in active commuting, sustained over five days, was associated with a fitness increment ranging from 28.5 to 32 mlO2/kg/min. Conclusions: engaging in "brisk" walking and increasing the duration of walking or bicycle commuting significantly enhanced fitness, irrespective of sociodemographic, anthropometric, and health factors. © 2025 Federacion Espanola de Docentes de Educacion Fisica. All rights reserved.