A collaborative study by the University of Eastern Finland and elsewhere has shed new light on the benefits of active commuting.
Published in the European Journal of Public Health, the research reveals that walking or cycling to work for at least 45 minutes daily is associated with lower levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), an important marker of inflammation in the body.
Low-grade inflammation is a known risk factor for several chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and cancer.
While it’s established that exercise can reduce this type of inflammation, the specific impact of active commuting – like walking or biking to work – had not been extensively studied until now.
The study focused on 6,208 middle-aged working adults, drawing on data from the nationally representative FINRISK study spanning 1997, 2002, 2007, and 2012.
The researchers discovered that those who engaged in active commuting for 45 minutes or more each day had notably lower CRP levels than their counterparts who used cars or other motorized vehicles for their daily commutes.
This association remained significant even after accounting for factors like leisure-time physical activity, work-related physical activity, and dietary habits.
Interestingly, the benefits of active commuting were particularly pronounced in women. However, shorter durations of active commuting (less than 45 minutes per day) did not show a significant link to reduced inflammation.
Lead author Sara Allaouat from the University of Eastern Finland highlighted the broader implications of these findings. “Our study suggests that a regular and somewhat substantial amount of active commuting can reduce inflammation in adults,” she noted.
“Encouraging walking and cycling as means of transportation can offer widespread health benefits and also contribute to reducing emissions from motorized traffic.”
This study underscores the potential of active commuting not only as a way to improve individual health but also as a public health strategy with environmental benefits.
It suggests that incorporating longer periods of walking or cycling into daily routines could be an accessible and effective way to combat low-grade inflammation, thereby reducing the risk of several chronic diseases.
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The findings can be found in the European Journal of Public Health.
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