The effect on cardiorespiratory fitness after an 8-week period of commuter cycling - A randomized controlled study in adults

OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the effect of commuter cycling on cardiorespiratory fitness in men and women. Secondary outcomes included body fat and blood pressure measurements. METHODS: In February 2009, 48 volunteers from the Island of Funen, Denmark were randomly assigned to either "no change in lifestyle" or to "minimum 20minutes of daily commuter cycling during 8weeks". Maximal oxygen uptake was assessed directly during a progressive cycle-ergometer-test, sum of skinfolds was used as an estimate of body fat, and blood pressure was measured using a Dinamap monitor. Measurements were obtained at baseline and at the conclusion of the 8-week intervention program. RESULTS: Six cyclists dropped out. After 8weeks V˙O(2)max (mLO(2)min(-1)) and cardiorespiratory fitness (mLO(2)kg(-1)min(-1)) were significantly improved in the cycling group when compared to the control group. Delta change in V˙O(2)max between groups equaled 206mLO(2)min(-1) (p=0.005) and delta change in cardiorespiratory fitness equaled 2.6mLO(2)kg(-1)min(-1) (p=0.003). Body fatness changed more noticeable (p=0.026) in the cyclists (-12.3±7.3mm) than in the controls (-0.2±7.1mm). CONCLUSIONS: V˙O(2)max and cardiorespiratory fitness were significantly improved and body fat reduced as a result of people engaging in 8weeks of commuter cycling.