The association between commuter cycling and sickness absence

Ingrid J M Hendriksen, Monique Simons, Francisca Galindo Garre, Vincent H Hildebrandt

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

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 (<or=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.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)132-5
Number of pages4
JournalPreventive Medicine
Volume51
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Aug 2010
Externally publishedYes

Bibliographical note

Copyright 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Keywords

  • Adult
  • Bicycling
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Netherlands
  • Sick Leave
  • Transportation
  • Workplace

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