Cycling and health

Cycling: Health Benefits and Risks

Cycling and bone health: a systematic review

BACKGROUND Cycling is considered to be a highly beneficial sport for significantly enhancing cardiovascular fitness in individuals, yet studies show little or no corresponding improvements in bone mass. METHODS A scientific literature search on studies discussing bone mass and bone metabolism in cyclists was performed to collect all relevant published material up to April 2012. Descriptive, c...

Cycling to school--a significant health risk?

OBJECTIVES The risk of injury to children riding bicycles has been previously documented. However, the specific risk arising from the use of bicycles as a mode of transportation to and from school is unknown. This study examines the incidence of bicycle related injuries among school age children. METHODS A comprehensive prospective injury registration system was established in Stavanger, Norw...

Health benefits of cycling: a systematic review.

The purpose of this study was to update the evidence on the health benefits of cycling. A systematic review of the literature resulted in 16 cycling-specific studies. Cross-sectional and longitudinal studies showed a clear positive relationship between cycling and cardiorespiratory fitness in youths. Prospective observational studies demonstrated a strong inverse relationship between commuter c...

Dutch Cycling: Quantifying the Health and Related Economic Benefits.

The Netherlands is well known for their high bicycle use. We used the Health Economic Assessment Tool and life table calculations to quantify the population-level health benefits from Dutch cycling levels. Cycling prevents about 6500 deaths each year, and Dutch people have half-a-year-longer life expectancy because of cycling. These health benefits correspond to more than 3% of the Dutch gross ...