What happens during one hour of riding your bicycle?
Do you want to know what effect cycling has on your body during the first hour of riding? The answer is below!
First 10 minutes :
A sense of freedom hits your system (100% of your recommended intake). You immediately grin from the overwhelming joy you’re feeling as you pedal faster and faster.
20 minutes :
Your enjoyment spikes, causing a burst in activity. Your body is ridding itself of cortisol, the stress hormone that can prevent deep, regenerative sleep.
Cortisol is a steroid hormone, in the glucocorticoid class of hormones. When used as a medication, it is known as hydrocortisone. It is produced in many animals, mainly by the zona fasciculata of the adrenal cortex in the adrenal gland. It is produced in other tissues in lower quantities. It is released with a diurnal cycle and its release is increased in response to stress and low blood-glucose concentration. It functions to increase blood sugar through gluconeogenesis, to suppress the immune system, and to aid in the metabolism of fat, protein, and carbohydrates. It also decreases bone formation.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cortisol
40 minutes :
Blood flow and oxygen to the brain is boosted. Keep smiling because if you are riding 5 days a week for this long you’re likely to take half as many sick days as couch potatoes.
45 minutes :
Serotonin and endorphins are released into the blood stream, helping improve your mood. Wave at fellow cyclists, smile at passers-by; you’re out there having the time of your life.
Serotonin or 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) is a monoamine neurotransmitter. It has a popular image as a contributor to feelings of well-being and happiness, though its actual biological function is complex and multifaceted, modulating cognition, reward, learning, memory, and numerous physiological processes such as vomiting and vasoconstriction.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serotonin
Endorphins play a major role in the body’s inhibitory response to pain. For example, endorphin release is responsible for producing the euphoric state in cases such as runner’s high, sex, orgasm, listening to music, and eating appetizing food such as chocolate. Research has demonstrated that meditation by trained individuals can be used to trigger endorphin release. Laughter may also stimulate endorphin production and elevate one’s pain threshold. Endorphin production can also be triggered by vigorous aerobic exercise. β-endorphin release contributes to a phenomenon known as a “runner’s high.” Endorphins may contribute to the positive effect of exercise on anxiety and depression. The same phenomenon may also play a role in exercise addiction. Regular intense exercise may cause the brain to downregulate the production of endorphins in periods of rest to maintain homeostasis, causing a person to exercise more intensely in order to receive the same feeling.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Endorphins
60 minutes :
With every kilometer you tick off, you’re helping reduce your risk of heart disease to less than half of those who don’t exercise at all. Go you!
>60 minutes :
Your mind comes into play. Do you continue this ride, boosting your enjoyment levels further? Or do you keep some in the tank for another day? Either way, you’ve had a blast.
>+60 minutes :
As the rave inside of you keeps on partying, you might need to take on some food or drink. A country pub or an energy bar, both are acceptable – it’s up to you.
Article Sources:
Chain Reaction Cycles
Bike Penticton
Bike Friendly North Shore
