At any age, cycling is beneficial. Doctor Yves Yau deciphers for us its health benefits.
- Cycling improves and maintains the heart system.
- Pedaling melts fat and especially relieves joint pain in the lower limbs.
- Going out on a bicycle can make us happy and therefore improve our psychological or hormonal balance.
Pedaling: it’s worth it! In addition to the pleasure of moving freely while remaining in contact with the outside world, this leisure or sporting activity has an effect “extremely positive” on your health, according to Doctor Yves Yau, referent doctor of the French Cycling Federation. Moving like this on a bicycle requires strong cardiovascular involvement. “It’s an endurance sportrecalls Yves Yau. It improves blood circulation, controls tension, allows better oxygenation of the blood and purification of the kidneys. The human body is made to spin!” Because of this, the doctor recommends this practice and also to ask “at least” the opinion of his general practitioner from the age of 55-60, or even to make an appointment with a cardiologist.
As this physical activity is demanding, Yves Yau warns not to go too fast and too hard. In a word: do not start with a bang without warming up. “A child will be up and running right away or within 2 minutes, a 30 year old will need 15 min and an older person 45 minhe assures. If you start strong right away, you burn out your carbohydrate reserves and they won’t come back!” If you don’t want your ride to turn into an ordeal, the doctor recommends pedaling slowly while you warm up your body mechanics. It will thus be easier to drive longer since the reserves will be used as they go. If the bike ride lasts more than an hour, Dr. Yau recommends refueling regularly. “Fat should be avoidedhe warns. You can take a cereal bar or a fruit. Personally I recommend a gingerbread with a banana, it’s very good, digestible and it gives enough fuel for the bike.”
Nice figure, good joints
However, by dint of making the heart rate work, the bike also “pumps” body fat. “Cycling melts fat and replaces it with muscle,” explains the referring doctor. Cycling with bare arms and/or legs also produces vitamin D in this season.
Little Queen also has a lesser-known effect on the joints. “It makes them move! However, this effect is more true for mountain biking than on the road where the back joints remain static.he analyzes. If you’re on the road, I recommend doing a bit of walking alongside as well.” As for the knees, if they are painful, it is only because of a bad adjustment. Yves Yau recommends reviewing the height of the saddle with a member of a club or at a specialist dealer. “The practice of cycling is extremely favorable for reducing joint pain in the lower limbshe assures. When you pedal, the knee pushes, it has no resistance. This movement is gentler than walking or running.”
A lover of the discipline, Dr. Yau also reminds us that going out and having fun in a physical activity universally brings many advantages at the hormonal, digestive, psychological or psychic level. “It’s a wonderful relaxation! For people who are a little bored, it’s a release!” The bicycle: the transport of our well-being?
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