1. Reduces stress and improves Mental Health

Cycling can ease out feelings of stress, depression, or anxiety. Focusing on the road while cycling helps develop concentration and awareness of the present moment. This may help take your focus away from the mental chatter of your day.

If you are feeling lethargic, get yourself on your bicycle for at least 10 minutes. Exercise releases endorphins in brain, which in turn help you feel better while lowering emotional stress.

2. Cardiovascular health and Blood Pressure

High blood pressure is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease in some people. Physical activity such as cycling controls your blood pressure and reduces risk of heart diseases. Use of cycling for going to office reduces the rate of heart attacks by 15 percent than with no physical activity.

3. Weight loss

Cycling is low impact exercise and can be done at moderate intensity for extended periods, it is among best exercise for anyone looking for weight loss. While diet is generally an important part of any weight loss plan, studies have shown that even without diet restrictions, individuals who were obese and cycled daily for six months lost 12% of body fat, and cycling was a more effective activity than the walking and swimming groups in the same study.

4 Low impact exercise

It is low impact form of exercise which makes it safe for older adults and people with weak or damaged joints.

Orthopedic surgeons may recommend cycling on level surfaces or indoors after surgeries such as total hip and knee replacement patients. This low impact nature of the exercise can accommodate a variety of injuries and disabilities while still allowing a person to be active.

5. Improves balance, posture, and coordination

While cycling when you try to stabilize your body and keep your bike upright, it improves your overall balance and coordination. Balance tends to decline with age and inactivity, which can be improved with cycling.

Improved balance is beneficial in the prevention of falls and fractures, which can leave you on the sidelines while you take time off from exercise to recover.

6. Boost  your immune system ?

This one is particularly important during the global corona pandemic. There is question mark in the statement. Studies suggest that immediately after intense exercise, such as an interval training session, your immune system is lowered but after adequate recovery such as eating and sleeping well it boosts your immunity.

7. Environmentally friendly

Reduce your carbon emission footprint by riding your cycle whenever possible. Cycling is a great replacement for transport options especially useful when you are going to places that are a bit too far to walk, but you still don’t want to take a car. And you don’t need to fight for a parking space in crowded areas.

Know more about sports injury in Hindi

Author is senior orthopaedic surgeon and sports injury expert at Jaipur, India

Sports Injury doctor in Jaipur

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