Mark,
Commiting changes only applies to the Mendix functionality that is build. SO changes in pages, domain models, microflows etc. The database is not included in a commit. Further reading: https://docs.mendix.com/refguide/team-server
If you want changes in data to be distributed to other team members you could make the changes in a central database, for example the one being used in the cloud environment. This database can be backed up and restored locally by the different team members.
Hope this clarifies how commits and working with databases works a bit more.