The sunny days of spring and the upcoming Easter holidays are a wake-up call for all cycling enthusiasts to get out of town and explore the roads and trails of the countryside.
Cycling is a healthy passion with a very positive impact on mind and body, so here are four physical benefits that this sport has on the human body.
Do you know them all?
- It improves your mood. Immediately after a bike ride you’re likely to experience a strongly positive mood. This perception is the result of endorphins, specific hormones produced by the body during physical exercise. Endorphins have a range of benefits, and these include a marked reduction in stress levels.
- It improves cardiovascular health. Numerous scientific studies have shown the benefits of cycling on the cardiovascular system. Just half an hour in the saddle every day seems to be enough to significantly reduce the risk of pathologies such as heart attack, stroke and hypertension.
- It improves the muscles and keeps you fit. Regular cycling reduces the risk of obesity and diabetes, strengthens the muscles of the legs and buttocks, and generally increases the body’s muscle mass. It also strengthens the shoulders, arms, abdomen and chest – to sum up, this sport is a cure-all for the health!
- It helps you sleep. According to a study by the Stanford University School of Medicine, cycling helps insomnia sufferers to fall asleep more quickly and to sleep for more hours overall. Moreover, the exposure to sunlight that cycling gives stimulates the body to produce Vitamin D, which is essential to sleep well for many hours.
As well as the benefits of cycling on our bodies, the sport has many other positive spin-off effects. A tip for the bank holiday: leave your car in the garage and travel around by bike… the environment and your body will be grateful!
Source: www.siroko.com; www.saperesalute.it; www.gibaud.it; www.bikeitalia.it
