Cycling is a great way to keep fit and healthy. It strengthens our heart, keeps our weight , and is good mental health. A little-known and (perhaps) surprising benefit getting a bike is that it is good our knees. A new study says cyclists are less likely to experience knee pain later life than people who do not ride bicycles. The study was conducted a research team from Baylor College of Medicine in the USA. Researchers surveyed 2,600 men and women, with an average age 64. The survey participants were asked about their levels physical activity. They also had X-rays of their knees taken. This was to look for signs and levels of arthritis their knee joints.
The lead researcher, Dr Grace Lo, said the results the research were surprising. She said cyclists were 21 per cent less likely to have signs osteoarthritis compared to those who did not have a history cycling. She added: "I was surprised to see how very strong the benefit [ cycling] was." A lot of research shows that cyclists are 20 per cent less likely to die prematurely. Dr Lo said cycling, "is a great preventative strategy many things, including arthritis". Osteoarthritis is often called "wear-and-tear" arthritis. It's what happens when we use the cartilage our joints a lot. The cartilage wears and becomes painful. Arthritis most commonly affects the over-50s.
