A new study suggests that taking up cycling in the middle and old age is tied to a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Additionally, researchers found that you don’t have to bring cycling to a professional level to reap its benefits. It is enough to enjoy pedalling in your free time or as transportation to work.

For the study, scientists at the University of Southern Denmark analyzed data on more than 24,000 men and nearly 28,000 women aged 50 to 65. Study participants were asked how often they used their bike for recreational purposes and/or commuting habits.

Next, researchers analyzed each participant risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The diabetes risk was assessed by sifting through the data from the Danish National Diabetes Registry. Study authors found that the longer the time participants spent cycling, the lower the risk of developing the chronic disease was. The team also found a link between habitual cycling and lower type 2 diabetes risk.

After five years, volunteers’ risk of diabetes and cycling habits were re-assessed. Surprisingly, people who took up the habit over this time period  had a 20 percent lower risk of being diagnosed with the metabolic disease than non-riders.

The findings remained consistent even after researchers adjusted them for other risk factors including diet, smoking, substance abuse, weight gain, and workout habits beside bike riding. Study authors acknowledged, however, that the results may be biased as they based their data on cycling habits on self-reports.

Still, there is a statistically significant link between taking up cycling in late adulthood and lower risk of developing diabetes. So, the findings should be enough to encourage more programs touting habitual riding to seniors.

Lead author of the study Dr. Martin Rasmussen explained that anyone can enjoy the benefits of cycling since the activity can be easily inserted in daily activities. So, researchers hope that the habit will be appealing to a large group of population including people with a tight schedule who don’t find time to take up a new sports.

Rasmussen added that the study results are encouraging as the health benefits of habitual cycling were observed in middle and old age population. So, it is never too late to take up the habit and stave off diabetes.

The study was published earlier this week in the journal PLOS Medicine.

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