Bike Desks in the Office: Physical Health, Cognitive Function, Work Engagement, and Work Performance

J Occup Environ Med. 2016 Dec;58(12):1257-1263. doi: 10.1097/JOM.0000000000000911.

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the longitudinal effect of implementing bike desks in an office setting on physical health, cognition, and work parameters.

Methods: Physical health, cognitive function, work engagement, and work performance measured before (T0) and after (T2) the intervention period were compared between office workers who used the bike desk (IG, n = 22) and those who did not (CG, n = 16).

Results: The IG cycled approximately 98 minutes/week. The IG showed a significantly lower fat percentage and a trend toward a higher work engagement at T2 relative to T0, while this was not different for the CG. No effects on other parameters of health, cognition, or work performance were found.

Conclusions: Providing bike desks in the office positively influences employees' fat percentage and could positively influence work engagement without compromising work performance.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anthropometry
  • Bicycling*
  • Blood Pressure
  • Cardiorespiratory Fitness
  • Cognition*
  • Energy Metabolism
  • Female
  • Health Promotion
  • Humans
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Work Engagement*
  • Work Performance*
  • Workplace*