Overweight or obese, but otherwise healthy, 20-45 year-olds were recruited. They were randomly assigned to 4 groups: BIKE, taking up cycling to work (9-17km depending on baseline fitness); VIG and MOD, 2 groups doing 5 gym sessions a week at moderate or vigorous intensity; CON, a control group asked to carry on normal behaviour, but who were promised a free gym membership at the end of the trial. 130 people stayed the course for 6 months, of whom 21 were in the cycling group.
These data are in line with previous work from longitudinal and cross-sectional surveys (e.g. see 21/4/17 and 2/12/16 blogs below). But they are important as this was a well-designed trial with tightly monitored interventions. So it adds significantly to the growing body of data demonstrating the health benefits of cycling. And although gym session were as effective as cycling, there is no question which option is cheaper and is easier to fit into a busy schedule
Sources
J S Quist, M Rosenkilde,M B Petersen, A S Gram, A Sjodin, B Stallknecht, Effects of active commuting and leisure-time exercise on fat loss in women and men with overweight and obesity: A randomized controlled trial, International Journal of Obesity accepted article preview 10 October 2017; doi:10.1038/ijo.2017.253.
A S Gram, E-M Bladbjerg, J S Quist, M B Petersen, M Rosenkilde, B Stallknecht. Anti-inflammatory effects of active commuting and leisure time exercise in overweight and obese women and men: A randomized controlled trial. Atherosclerosis 265 (2017) 318-324
M Rosenkilde, M B Petersen, A S Grama, J S Quist, J Winther,
S D Kamronn, D H Milling, J E Larsen, A P Jespersen, B Stallknecht. The GO-ACTIWE randomized controlled trial - An interdisciplinary study designed to investigate the health effects of active commuting and leisure time physical activity. Contemporary Clinical Trials 53 (2017) 122–129