While cycling is said to be a great leisure sport, a study from the Netherlands indicates, more precisely, that cycling can help you live longer. In particular, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many people are working from home or in isolation, reducing their outings, and many gyms have closed. This has led to an increase in sedentary time and a decrease in physical activity. Bicycles have also become popular, allowing people to exercise while cycling, commute, maintain social distancing, and easily stay healthy.

According to a Dutch study published in the American Journal of Public Health, Dutch people cycle an average of 75 minutes per week. These riders lived an average of six months longer than non-cyclists, and cycling was also found to be associated with a lower mortality rate.

Of course, the Netherlands itself encourages people to cycle. The country has laid out extensive bike lanes, with flat surfaces and clearly marked road markings. At the same time, the Netherlands has clear rules for cycling, and the police often enforce laws on bicycles, strictly punishing those who cycle without following traffic rules or park their bikes illegally. In contrast, Dutch people feel respected and protected when cycling, which is why they enjoy it.

10 Benefits of Cycling

Cycling is not only environmentally friendly, but also offers the following health benefits:

1. Lowers the risk of heart disease. Cycling promotes blood circulation and strengthens blood vessels, leading to a healthy heart.

2. Lifts your mood. Exercise releases hormones (endorphins) that make you feel brighter and happier.

3. Boosts your immunity. Cycling strengthens your resistance, making you less susceptible to coronavirus attacks and delaying the onset of chronic diseases.

4. Aids in weight loss. Depending on the intensity of the exercise, cycling can burn approximately 200-400 calories per hour.

5. Strengthens your physique. Cycling can train lower body muscles such as the glutes, hamstrings, and calf muscles. Long-term cycling can strengthen and beautify your hip shape.

6. Prevents brain aging. Research in sports medicine indicates that the alternating leg movements during cycling can balance the development of the left and right brain functions, preventing brain aging.

7. Improves cardiorespiratory function. Cycling is a good aerobic exercise, making it easy to maintain a certain intensity and improve "maximum oxygen uptake" and "cardiorespiratory endurance."

8. Efficiently burns subcutaneous and visceral fat. Sustained and intense aerobic exercise can efficiently burn stored subcutaneous and visceral fat in the body.

9. Maintains neurological agility. Cycling requires hand-eye coordination and limb coordination, maintaining neurological agility, and training all joints and ligaments of the body.

10. Can improve sexual function. Cycling is highly beneficial for the heart and cardiovascular system, and it stimulates the secretion of "endorphins" in the body, making people feel happy and enhancing sexual ability.

So, everyone, let's try cycling!

Related article: Steel, aluminum, titanium, or carbon road bike, which one should you choose?