Title
The association between commuter cycling and sickness absence
Author
Hendriksen, I.J.M.
Simons, M.
Garre, F.G.
Hildebrandt, V.H.
TNO Kwaliteit van Leven
Publication year
2010
Abstract
Objective: To study the association between commuter cycling and all-cause sickness absence, and the possible dose-response relationship between absenteeism and the distance, frequency and speed of commuter cycling. Method: Cross-sectional data about cycling in 1236 Dutch employees were collected using a self-report questionnaire. Company absenteeism records were checked over a one-year period (May 2007-April 2008). Propensity scores were used to make groups comparable and to adjust for confounders. Zero-inflated Poisson models were used to assess differences in absenteeism between cyclists and non-cyclists. Results: The mean total duration of absenteeism over the study year was more than 1. day shorter in cyclists than in non-cyclists. This can be explained by the higher proportion of people with no absenteeism in the cycling group. A dose-response relationship was observed between the speed and distance of cycling and absenteeism. Compared to people who cycle a short distance (≤ 5. km) three times a week, people who cycle more often and longer distances are absent for fewer days on average. Conclusion: Cycling to work is associated with less sickness absence. The more often people cycle to work and the longer the distance travelled, the less they report sick. © 2010 Elsevier Inc.
Subject
Health
Active transport
Cycling
Dose-response relationship
Physical activity
Absenteeism
Adult
Dose response
Female
Health behavior
Human
Male
Questionnaire
Self report
Work environment
To reference this document use:
http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:6587f598-7b03-4733-bd6b-e5a039dfb4d2
TNO identifier
408452
ISSN
0091-7435
Source
Preventive Medicine, 51 (2), 132-135
Document type
article