Health Benefits of Cycling
A far-from-exhaustive collection of evidence of the
health advantages of cycling, based initially on material published in the
Lothian Cycle Campaign newsletter Spokes. If you have other information, please
contact John
Franklin
Research into health benefits of cycling
- Coronary Heart Disease: halves incidence, studies of British Civil
Servants, Professor J N Morris, 1990.
Support for cycling to improve health
- Tackling obesity
in England, National Audit Office & Public Accounts Committee, Feb
2001.
- Towards a Healthier Scotland, sets target to increase walking and
cycling amongst adults.
Research into health benefits of regular moderate physical activity
Most studies here are not specifically on cycling, but 15 to 20 minutes
spent daily in cycle-commuting is generally regarded as providing a good amount
of moderate physical activity.
- Arteries: less fatty in men, Annals of Internal Med 2001; 154; 336.
- Body energy: more effective at increasing than occasional vigorous
exercise, Nature 29th March 2001.
- Cancer: breast cancer lower risk, Am J Epidermiology 2001; 154; 336.
- Cancer: lower colon/breast/prostate risk, possibly lung/endometrial, Cancer
Epid. Biomarkers & Prevention 2001; 10; 287.
- Cancer: less pancreatic cancer risk, J Am Med Ass 2001; 286; 921.
- Heart attack: lower risk after sex, Heart 2001; 86; 387.
- Heart disease: lower risk, Circulation 2000; 102; 975; also
Casperson, 1987.
- Heart disease: lower risk for women, N Eng J Med 2000; 343; 16;
also J Am Med Ass 2001; 285; 1447.
- Heart sufferers: fitness up, J Am Med Ass 2000; 283; 3095.
- Menopause: better cholesterol levels, Circulation 2001; 103; 32.
- Stroke: lower risk in women, J AM Med Ass 2000; 283; 2961; also
Stroke 2000; 31; 14.
General references
Cycling Digest Health
index