Celebrate World Health Day on Two Wheels

To celebrate World Health Day, we asked Dr Lachlan Soper, who also happens to be an avid cyclist, about some of the benefits you enjoy when riding your favourite two-wheeler.

Here is some of his excellent medicine:

• Cycling is a low impact sport, which means it is good on your joints, that has many health benefits.

• Cycling is a great way to build up some extra muscle. During the downstroke of pedaling, you’re working the muscles in your buttocks, thighs, and calves. You’re also working your hamstrings and front hip muscles whenever you do a backstroke or up-stroke while pedaling. Other muscles such as your abdominals and back extensors get stronger by balancing and staying upright on the bike, as well as your arm (particularly your triceps) and shoulder muscles while holding on to the handlebars and steering.

• One of the most significant benefits of cycling regularly is how much it improves your cardiovascular health. Cycling is an excellent activity to stimulate your heart, lungs, and blood circulation. This can help decrease your chances of developing cardiovascular diseases such as stroke, high blood pressure, and heart attack. By cycling regularly, you will strengthen your heart muscles, lower your resting pulse, and reduce blood fat levels. Cycling is an excellent activity to stimulate your heart, lungs, and blood circulation. This can also help decrease your chances of developing cardiovascular diseases such as stroke, high blood pressure, and heart attack. By cycling regularly, you will strengthen your heart muscles, lower your resting pulse, and reduce blood fat levels.

• Cycling is beneficial for your mental health. Cycling is perfect for easing feelings of stress, depression, or anxiety. Riding your bike allows you to focus on the road to help develop concentration and awareness of the present moment. It can also help distract you from any anxious mental chatter or stress. While you ride, endorphins are also released and can help make you feel better. It can also help distract you from any anxious mental chatter or stress. While you ride, endorphins are also released and can help make you feel better.

• There are many other health benefits for cycling, in addition to the above, they include preventing and managing diabetes, minimizing risks of breast and bowel cancer, and weight control.

Cycling is a great way to bond with your family or friends and explore the outdoors.

Belinda Bramley is part of the Adelaide based women’s cycling club, Skinny Lattes.

She knows how much of a positive influence riding her bike has been, in not only connecting with a like-minded group but also assisting in her recovery from cancer.

“Cycling makes me feel fantastic, fit and free and my favourite part is riding with my friends and club mates. Being outside in the fresh air of the hills or along the beach in the beautiful surrounds of Adelaide is inspiring. It clears the head and relieves any stress. Developing a very supportive Women’s specific cycling club has meant I have achieved more than I ever thought I would. Testing yourself but also encouraging others and seeing them achieve their goals is very rewarding.”'