Regular cycling is not only fun and protects the climate, it also keeps you healthy. Finally, the pedaling really gets your pulse going and thus increases your fitness. But what about this effect if you let an electric auxiliary motor make pedaling easier? With exactly this recipe for success, pedelecs, popularly known as e-bikes, have been conquering people’s hearts for several years now – even those who are otherwise more likely to be a sports fanatic. No wonder, thanks to the pedal support, pedaling can even be done uphill and in headwinds it’s easy to do with your hand or foot. But does this eliminate the positive impact of cycling on health?
This is what researchers at Hannover Medical School have found, according to the magazine ARD Healthy examined in a large-scale study. They compared the health data of e-bike riders with that of conventional cyclists for three years. The test subjects were each equipped with a tracker for four weeks, which recorded and recorded both the distance traveled and the heart rate. In this way, the doctors evaluated a total of 58,000 trips. The result is surprising: the physical strain on the e-bike is almost identical to that on a normal bike. Accordingly, the heart rate of e-bike users increases only slightly less than on a conventional bike.
E-bikes are serious training devices
The researchers’ verdict is clear: the Pedelec is a serious training device whose regular use has just as positive an effect on physical fitness as that of a simple bicycle. The experts are particularly positive about the fact that the e-bike is ideal for people with previous illnesses or older people who could no longer ride a conventional bike. But more and more healthy people are abandoning their cars in favor of Pedelecs and are therefore moving more. Because riding with an electric motor is so pleasant, people use their bikes more often than they did with a normal model.
On average, the e-bike riders in the study spent 135 minutes on their bikes per week. According to Professor Dr. According to Uwe Tegtbur from the Hannover Medical School, this regular endurance training with the Pedelec has a similar beneficial effect on the cardiovascular system as taking a blood pressure medication. According to Tegtbur, the risk of diseases such as high blood pressure, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases can be reduced by up to 40 percent by riding an e-bike. Apart from the high purchase price, there is no longer any reason not to use an e-bike. However, older people in particular should protect themselves well, wear a helmet and practice using the Pedelec before setting out on the road. According to the report, the accident rate involving e-bikes has increased dramatically in recent years.
