Is cycling good for heart?
Are you tired of jogging on the same trail every morning, huffing and puffing through your nose? Do you want to switch things up a bit? Then hop on a bike! Cycling is not just an environmentally friendly mode of transportation. It’s also one of the most effective cardio exercises out there. In this article, we’ll break down why cycling is particularly excellent for your cardiovascular health.
Let’s give our heart some love
Let’s face it; our hearts are superheroes that never get enough credit (or sleep). Our beating buddy pumps blood throughout the body nonstop – 24 hours a day, seven days a week. However, did you know that heart disease accounts for around 17 million mortalities globally each year ()? That’s why keeping our “love muscle” healthy should be at the top of our priority list.
How does cycling benefit your cardiovascular system?
Cycling gets your legs pumping and ignites your breathing rate with more significant force than regular walking or running. As opposed to aerobics exercises like jogging, which may strain joints such as hips and knees due to impact on hard surfaces(), cycling is both low-impact and high-reward.
Here’s how exactly cycling works its magic in strengthening cardiac performance:
Increases endurance capacity
Do you pant like an overexcited pup while taking stairs even after months of gym sessions? Don’t worry; adding biking rides will do wonders eventually!
While pedaling away on two wheels deters exhaustion by distributing exertion across various muscle groups evenly().
Moreover:
Regular cyclists trained for 6 weeks increased their VO2max(a marker used to analyze aerobic fitness)coefficients by almost 12%()!
With time-boud training plans specially tailored according to cyclist needs consistently lead people to surpass their performance goals
Lowers prevalence of Asymptomatic Diseases
Various disorders can go unnoticed within us if we don’t check up on our health frequently. That’s where cycling comes in as a preventive medicine.
- Cycling for half an hour at midrange speed, five days a week, is recommended to lower blood pressure.
- A study by Kings College London found that regular biking reduces heart disease risk factors with great numbers such as above 50%().
Because of its high cardiovascular and low-impact nature, it also lowers the chance of developing joint diseases like osteoarthritis.
Keeps vessels flexible
Cycling improves endothelial function (the ability of our arteries’ inner lining cells to dilate). Thus they carry more oxygenated blood throughout the heart efficiently.
As a result:
Scientists discovered cycling diminishes chances of coagulation(allowing smooth flow) within coronary arteries(approximately four times lesser than sedentary people)().
Endothelium malfunctioning leads to the development of various circulatory problems; thus incorporating it into your fitness routine will work wonders().
What are some popular types & styles?
Now you know why placing two-wheelers in between traffic isn’t just convenient but healthy too! With these cycles available according to style and need(such as road bikes or mountain bikes), there’s no way you won’t find the one fitting perfectly for you:
- Road Bikes – Designed mainly for travelers who want long-distance travel made easier.
- Mountain Bikes – Ruggedized bicycles suitable mostly for off-road travel.
- Hybrid Bicycles – Combining functionalities from both aforementioned types( best suited for city commutes since easy handling)
- Folding Bike – Perfectly accommodates those who have storage restrictions yet crave pedal power
- Sports Cycles: Built with aerodynamics functionality emphasized over looks
Regardless, Do keep up essential aspects while picking any cycle such as seat height, grip, shock absorbers as per your personal preference.
Some common myths
We care about being truthful more than our morning coffee. And so to bust some hocus-pocus notions surrounding cycling we present:
Myth: It’s hazardous to ride during pregnancy.
This isn’t accurate! Despite the necessary modifications in lifestyle choices and certain physical activities while expecting().
- Cycling is a gentle means of exercising even for short periods.
- Biking becomes most comfortable between 2nd and early 3rd trimesters
- Avoid rough terrains or risky downhill descends_, but besides that- let the pedals spin!
Myth: Cycling kills off muscles like jogging.
Not at all! Cycling generates resistance, which helps tone specific areas such as thighs or calf muscles().
Overall it plays an indispensable role versus muscle wasting if done correctly over time(√cycles built with hill & terrain settings!)
So there you have it – no need to lose sleep thinking biking will hurt rather than help. Instead get ready for improved heart health levels and glowing cheeks(no expensive blush required!)