Cycling is indeed a great sport, but non-professionals may not have a thorough understanding of the principles behind cycling, which can lead to the development of certain diseases. So what aspects should be paid attention to when cycling?
Excessive Cycling Intensity
1. Repetitive cycling movements can cause excessive wear and tear on the knee joints.
2. Overly intense and demanding exercise can cause knee fatigue, muscle imbalance, and deviation of knee joint movement from the force line, accelerating cartilage wear and tear.
Too Low Seat Height
During cycling, the knee joints repeatedly perform flexion and extension movements, and the knee cartilage is subject to pressure from muscles and ligaments.
If cycling time is too long, this repeated pressure can cause cartilage wear and tear, leading to knee joint pain. Additionally, the greater the angle of knee flexion, the greater the pressure on the knee and the more severe the cartilage wear and tear.
Therefore, it is important to avoid a seat that is too low, but also not too high.
Proper seat height: When pedaling with the ball of the foot on the pedal, the leg should maintain a certain degree of flexion (25-35 degrees), which neither excessively bends the knee nor raises the heel, and is also conducive to exerting force.
Incorrect Posture
Incorrect cycling posture, such as inward or outward rotation of the knee joints, can result in imbalanced knee joint force and cartilage wear and tear. This condition is more common in young and middle-aged individuals.
Correct cycling posture: Keep the knee joints and soles of the feet vertical. This is key to preventing knee joint injuries.
Excessive Speed Affects Cardiovascular Function
Statistics show that cycling for 1 hour requires approximately 5000 pedal revolutions, equivalent to the knee joints flexing and extending 5000 times within an hour. Therefore, it is important to control the cycling speed and exercise intensity.
Speed: Adjust according to one's own abilities. Generally, a speed below 15 kilometers per hour is considered moderate-intensity exercise, suitable for individuals with average cardiovascular function. The exercise volume is best gradually increased and controlled within 1 hour.
Reminder: Individuals with knee arthritis, patella softening, and other diseases are better off shortening cycling distance, especially avoiding excessive uphill sections.
Excessive Cycling Causes Sexual Dysfunction
In the perineum of males, there is an organ called the Alcock canal, which contains arteries and nerves responsible for supplying blood to the penis and causing sexual arousal. The direction of this organ coincides with the sides of the bone. Therefore, when a cyclist sits on a narrow seat, the arteries and nerves in this area can be compressed. Over time, blood flow in this area decreases, which means there is not enough pressure to achieve full erection of the penis.
Similarly, the female perineum also contains blood vessels and nerve systems responsible for clitoral engorgement. Therefore, excessive cycling can easily lead to sexual dysfunction.
Note: Currently, there are no truly healthy seats on the market. Some seat designs may even exacerbate congestion in the perineum area, aggravating the issue.
