10 Health Benefits Of Mountain Biking
Guess one sport that provides you with fun, fitness, and adventure at the same time. I bet most of you will think about mountain biking. Well, you are incredibly right. Mountain biking is one of the fewest sports which offers you both physical and mental fitness as well as takes you to the peak of adventure. Using mountain bikes, you can keep your body and mind fit while exploring the mesmerizing views of the mountain. It can be your escape from urban are from your everyday life for a while too.
There is also a variety of health benefits of mountain biking. Many studies from different institutions have proven the benefits of biking for different parts of our bodies. In this context, we will talk about some of the top health benefits of mountain biking which will amaze you for sure.
10 Health Benefits Of Mountain Biking
Mike Brcic, the founder of the Sacred Ride, said: “A bad day on a mountain bike always beats a good day in the office.” After reading the next part of the article, we assure you will also think the same.
1. Whole Body Workout
You will need to use your legs muscle most to keep the bike going while riding on a mountain. As a result, the leg muscle gets most of the benefits from mountain biking. Within a few weeks of biking, your leg will be stronger and gain better strength. Not only the leg muscle but also mountain biking can build the other primary muscle of your body. Along with the legs, you require to move a number of the muscles of your body to keep the balance on bumpy trials, to speed up the bike, for jumping, and other movements. Muscles like the Rectus abdominis, gluteus maximus, semitendinosus, and gastrocnemius become active while you ride on the mountain.
2. Reduce The Risk Of Diseases
Research has shown that moderate and regular exercise can strengthen your immune system. There are different theories on how exercise can decrease the chance of diseases. One of these describes that exercise brings changes in the White Blood Cells (WBC) antibodies. The WBCs are the immune system cells of our body that fight diseases. These cells circulate rapidly while exercising and it helps to capture the diseases. In this way, the disease can be detected faster than usual and can be treated within time.
3. Helps to Sleep Better
The sleeping problem at night is one of the most common problems of this generation. If you are going through such issues, then you will be happy to know that mountain biking will help you to get rid of them. Mountain requires immense physical activity which makes the rider extremely tired and exhausted after a ride which eventually helps you to sleep better at night. Moreover, physical activities also help to decrease the outflow of cortisol, which keeps us awake at night. If you have a sleeping problem, you can go mountain biking in the morning. Avoid riding too late in the day as it causes opposite effects.
4. Boost Brain Power
You will be happy to know that mountain biking can help you to enhance your brainpower. According to a research of Illinois University, 5% improvement of cardio-respiratory fitness from biking led to development of up to 15% on mental fitness. That happens because biking helps to build brain cells in the hippocampus, a small organ situated in the brain which is linked with memory.
As Professor Arthur Kramer said, mountain biking helps to increase blood flow and oxygen supply in the brain, which allows to regenerate of receptors cells and boost brainpower. In case you are searching for a decent mountain bike at an affordable price, you can check the review of top mountain bikes from the Bikecutter’s list.
5. Low Impact Exercise
One of the exceptional benefits of mountain biking is it doesn’t put a significant impact on your joints like the other sports. Such running cause stresses on your knees and if you are doing it after a long break then there is a chance of joint injuries. But there is no chance of such injuries or impact during mountain biking. If you have issues with your legs and knees, you can try mountain biking as a form of exercise.
6. Decrease Stresses
We are living in such an environment that can easily harvest stress in our minds. According to an online survey of Harris Interactive, more than 44 percent of the total US population go through regular stress. Spending time can help you to reduce stresses on a large scale. Mountain biking allows you to come closer to Mother Nature and cut off the stresses that you get from your daily life.
7. Improve Heart’s Health
Heart Diseases are one of the main reasons for death in the US. If you are worried about such stats, then you should take part in mountain biking. Mountain biking makes your heart pump faster and increases the antioxidants in your heart muscles. As a result, your heart becomes stronger and resist many heart diseases. A study from Angadi in 2010 that blood pressure can be reduced up to 7 to 14 mmHg after exercising. The study also mentioned that if the reduction of SBP can be taken to 5 mmHg on a daily basis, it can reduce the chance of stroke, cardiovascular mortality, and overall mortality on a large scale.
8. Improve Coordination
Mountain biking can help you a lot if you have physical balance-related problems. While you ride a bike on the mountain, you need to keep your body steady on the bike which not only saves you from crashing but also strengthens your muscle memories which helps you to coordinate better. Moreover, mountain biking requires a steady connection of muscles, brain, sense, and nerve system which in the long run contributes to improving balance and coordination.
9. Boost Self-Confidence
Mountain biking is full of challenges. You don’t know where the next trail will lead you to. You will always need to be ready for any situation. As a result, mountain biking on a regular basis can help you to overcome your fears and boost your self-confidence. Moreover, mountain biking make you physically fit as well as improves your stamina, which gives your self-esteem a significant boost.
10. Makes You Happy
Mountain biking makes you happy. It gives you a momentary escape from reality. It requires the whole attention of your mind and removes the worries and stresses by keeping your mind busy. According to the notes of Mayo Clinic, exercise like mountain biking release endorphins, a brain chemical that helps to get rid of depression.
Mountain biking also decreases the immune system chemical which makes depression worse. If you give a closer look to your friends who do mountain biking, you will notice that they usually are much happier than other people. If you are going through depression or related issues, you can give mountain biking a try.
Final Verdict
“Get a bicycle. You will certainly not regret it if you live.” Go for a mountain bike ride for once, and you will realize the authenticity of the quote of Mark Twain. Mountain biking is such a sport that enhances your overall physical, mental, and emotional health at the same time. Hopefully, the above health benefits of mountain biking will prompt you to start mountain biking and enjoy your life at its most.