The Many Benefits of Cycling
There are many great reasons why cycling should be part of a daily lifestyle. It’s a popular activity with many people today because it’s good for the environment, family-friendly and provides great exercise. There are also benefits that are backed by science. For instance, many people don’t know that it’s also been proven to boost brain power and increase your longevity and happiness.
Bicycling Improves Your Brain
In recent years studies have shown that cycling regularly increases the brain’s white matter. This is the part of your brain that connects different regions of gray matter that are found within your cerebrum. When you have more white matter these connections occur faster so information travels faster.
Bicycling Increases Brain Function
Cycling regularly can increase short and long-term memory, as well as problem-solving skills by 20%. According to the Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research, people that rode a stationary bike for 30 minutes scored better on tests that measured their memory, reasoning, and planning. If this happened in 30 minutes, imagine what more can be gained when it comes to retaining information and leading a healthier lifestyle.
Bicycling Benefits People Regardless of Age
Improved and increased brain functioning is beneficial for older adults that wish to ward off memory loss, as well as for children that want to perform better in school. Cycling has been shown to help the elderly protect an aging brain. One neuroscientist from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Arthur Kramer, discovered that it only took three months of bicycling for people between the ages of 60 – 79 to obtain the same brain volume as those who were three years younger than them.
Today, as more children are being diagnosed with ADHD, bicycling has been shown to help abate it. This provides families with a natural treatment option. Some studies have shown that exercising is similar to taking Prozac or Ritalin because exercise raises the baseline levels of norepinephrine and dopamine.
Bicycling is a Natural Mood Booster
Besides simply giving your norepinephrine and dopamine levels a boost, cycling has also been shown to improve mental health and help combat depression. James Blumenthal, Duke University’s professor of behavioral medicine, says that exercise works just as well as psychotherapy and antidepressants when it comes to treating depression. However, cycling also provides the added benefits of enjoying a calmer, more relaxed lifestyle because it helps reduce stress levels.
Some people will even refer to it as the brain’s fertilizer. One recent study looked at a group of volunteers who had Type 2 diabetes. It was discovered that after riding a stationary bike for three months, their BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor) levels increased. This is important because BDNF helps create and maintain neurons while also diminishing the risk of neurological diseases (e.g. Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s).
It only takes 30 minutes of cycling a day to enjoy the great health benefits.
Did you know that North River Ranch, near Bradenton, Florida, is North Manatee County’s, newest community and offers a complimentary Bike Share? The community is a huge proponent of getting outside to exercise. The Greenway and miles of biking and walking trails are just the start of the outdoor activities. Ride your own bike or pick one up at the Bike Share, it’s good for you!
About North River Ranch
North River Ranch is the flagship master-planned community for Neal Land & Neighborhoods, strategically positioned and carefully planned to evolve to meet the needs of tomorrow’s families and active adults. It’s a fresh approach to development in southwest Florida unlike anything in the market today.
About Neal Land & Neighborhoods
Neal Land & Neighborhoods is a Manatee and Sarasota, Florida-based community and master land planning and development organization led by John A. Neal. The company incorporates smart master-planning and public infrastructure solutions to create the next level of elite community planning in Southwest Florida. By working with carefully selected new home builders, Neal Land & Neighborhoods aims to establish thriving, sustainable, livable, and ecologically sensitive communities throughout Manatee, Sarasota, and Hillsborough counties. Neal Land & Neighborhoods currently owns or controls several thousand acres of land entitled for more than 9,000 future residential homes and the supporting mixed-use commercial and retail. For additional information, visit www.nealland.com.
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