Biomarkers and long-term labour market outcomes: The case of creatine

Petri Böckerman (), Alex Bryson, Jutta Viinikainen, Christian Hakulinen, Laura Pulkki-Råback, Olli Raitakari and Jaakko Pehkonen

Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, 2017, vol. 142, issue C, 259-274

Abstract: Using the Young Finns Study (YFS) combined with the Finnish Linked Employer-Employee Data (FLEED) we show that quantities of creatine measured in 1980 prior to labour market entry affect labour market outcomes over the period 1990–2010. Those with higher levels of creatine (proxied by urine creatinine) prior to labour market entry spend more time in the labour market in the subsequent two decades and earn more. The associations between creatine and labour market outcomes are robust to controlling for other biomarkers, educational attainment and parental background. Creatine is a naturally occurring nitrogenous organic acid which supplies energy to body cells, including muscles. Our findings are consistent with high energy levels, induced by creatine, leading to productivity-enhancing traits such as a high propensity for effort, perseverance, and high-commitment.

Keywords: Biomarkers; Creatine; Creatinine; Labour market; Earnings; Employment (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I12 J24 J31 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2017
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (5)

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Related works:
Working Paper: Biomarkers and long-term labour market outcomes: the case of creatine (2014)
Working Paper: Biomarkers and Long-term Labour Market Outcomes: The Case of Creatine (2014)
Working Paper: Biomarkers and Long-term Labour Market Outcomes: The Case of Creatine (2014)
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:jeborg:v:142:y:2017:i:c:p:259-274

DOI: 10.1016/j.jebo.2017.08.003

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