Archive for April, 2010

Cycle for health

Wednesday, April 14th, 2010

Regular cycling at a healthy level benefits many of the body’s organs and systems. The heart and circulatory system: the heart beats faster to pump blood around the body more quickly and supply enough oxygen to the muscles, allowing them to do work. At rest, the heart normally pumps about four liters of blood per minute. During moderate aerobic activities such as cycling, about 20 liters of blood per minute circulate throughout the body. The heart itself is a muscle. When exercised as in cycling, it gets bigger and stronger, just like your biceps. People who take part in regular physical activity have a lowered risk of cardiovascular disease compared with those who don’t.

And for blood, regular aerobic activity prevents or delays high blood pressure. If you already have the condition, cycling can lower it. Exercise improves muscle strength, coordination and balance. It lessens the likelihood of falls in the elderly and aids joint mobility and lubrication.  Muscle endurance and tone result, with working muscle groups like calves and thighs becoming prominent. Posture also improves.