A sporting practice suitable for everyone, therefore, which can be “gentle” or sporty, capable of breaking down barriers and allowing each cyclist to overcome and stimulate their attitudes.
Research has shown that the use of an eBike increases the overall cycling activity compared to the use of a conventional one (essentially those who own an electric bike pedal more often) or, of course, compared to those who have never ridden a bicycle. This means more hours spent on the bike strengthening muscles, heart and lungs, and more calories burned.
Using an eBike allows you to reach your destination faster and with less effort. Combining commuting to work with exercise is a more effective use of time than going to the gym, and you save on transport costs. If you’re seeking an easy way to have a more active life, cycling to work is the way forward.
When starting to exercise, a gradual approach is best, as too intense a start can lead to injuries, excessive fatigue and a loss of motivation. This may seem counterintuitive, but eBikes make cycling easier, and for this reason, cyclists set themselves more ambitious goals, which are also more manageable. The eBike allows you to go further and faster, tackling hills with greater ease. One study, whose results were published in the Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine, showed that a pedal-assisted bike can potentially improve heart and lung health to a similar degree to that of a conventional bike.
Effect of E-Bike Versus Bike Commuting on Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Overweight Adults
Objective
Evaluate whether active eBike commuting over four weeks can induce increased cardiorespiratory fitness measured as peak oxygen uptake (V̇o2) in untrained and overweight individuals, and if these changes are comparable with those induced by a conventional bicycle.
Participants
Thirty-two volunteers participated. Participants in both groups were instructed to use the bicycle allocated to them (e-bike or conventional bicycle) for an active commute to work in the Basel (Switzerland) area at a self-chosen speed on at least 3 days per week during the 4-week intervention period.
Results
VO2 increased by an average of 3,6 mL / (kg · min) in the E-Bike group and by 2,2 mL / (kg · min) in the Bike group, with an adjusted difference between the 2 groups of 1,4 mL / (kg · min).
Conclusions
E-bikes may have the potential to improve cardiorespiratory fitness similar to conventional bicycles despite the available power assist, as they enable higher biking speeds and greater elevation gain. Furthermore, those who use an eBike are inclined to pedal more often.
Source: shimano-steps.com Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine
