Harvard Research: The benefits of going to work by bicycle
The study followed 18,000 women for 16 years and has shown that an average of four hours a week biking can prevent weight gain
Elmundo.es last week published the results of a study by Harvard on the benefits of bicycle commuting:
Take a walk, get to the office, close to supermarket ... The bike can be a good way of exercising without much effort. The investigation demonstrate that, although not to devote much time to practice this activity, it usually helps control weight.
"Contrary to what happens with fitness activities, cycling can replace the time required to travel by car to various daily activities. In this way, can serve as an unconscious way of physical activity because many times the goal is not to exercise, but get to a place" explains the authors of this study published in the journal Archives of Internal Medicine.
For 16 years, these researchers from Harvard University (USA) conducted a follow-up 18 414 women who, at baseline, were aged between 25 and 42 years. On a regular basis and through various questionnaires, assessed weight, height, eating habits and physical activity levels and other variables.
At baseline, only 1.2% of the sample claimed to use the bike more than 30 minutes a day. In contrast, 50% of participants admitted to go for a walk usually.
After analyzing the data, researchers found that, compared with those without pedaling, those using the bike an average of four hours a week were less prone to weight gain.
Moreover, his research showed that in women not using the bike at baseline, an increase of just five minutes a day, showed positive results.
"The results were more pronounced in participants, grassroots, showed an excess weight," say the researchers, who stress that the benefits of cycling can be compared to walking vigorously.
In their conclusions, further studies on this type of exercise, scientists call for more space and facilities for bicycles in cities. "Perhaps many people do not engage in this activity due to lack of suitable environments," they say.
http://www.elmundo.es/elmundosalud/2010/06/28/corazon/1277745979.html
29/06/2010 Elmundo.es