Gaby
Here’s another reason to consider biking to the office. Those who prefer this eco-friendly mode of transportation tend to take fewer sick days.
Researchers at the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health analyzed annual data from 28,485 public servants. They examined the relationship between the type of transportation participants used and the number of days those participants spent on sick leave. They adjusted for factors that can affect sickness, including gender, age, alcohol use, and socioeconomic status.
Compared to commuting by public transportation, biking at least 61 kilometers a week was associated with an 8-12 percent reduction in sick-leave frequency. Cyclists took 18 percent fewer sick days than their colleagues.
Essi Kalliolahhti, a health researcher and the study’s lead author, said previous research has already shown that biking to work benefits both health and the environment. But the link between active commuting and illness-related absenteeism hadn’t been studied until now.
The study reinforces that staying physically active is one of the best ways to remain healthy. People who exercise regularly are less likely to develop many common illnesses.
Researchers also found that biking to work was more effective than walking at reducing sick days. The team suggested walking may not engage the body as intensely as biking does.
The study’s authors say not everyone considers biking a viable option, partly because it can be stressful in large cities, Science Alert reported.
Meanwhile, those who do bike not only show up to work more often but also help reduce harmful emissions.
“Considering that only half of the adult population engages in sports, biking or walking to the office is a great way to increase physical activity,” said epidemiologist Jenni Ervasti, a co-author of the study. She said the findings act as a nudge toward a more active lifestyle.
The study’s conclusions were published in the Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports.
