Bicycling can be a cure
Last reviewed: 07.06.2024
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British doctors will prescribe cycling or walking as treatment for their patients, which will reduce the number of visits to doctors. Such recommendations were announced by representatives of the Ministry of Transport.
A new wellness project worth more than £12 million will be piloted in eleven UK regions. The pilot will include free bike rentals, trial bike rides to assess fitness, mental health groups, and other start-up projects to optimize active lifestyles.
At the moment, the project is designed for three years, with possible revision of the results. According to experts, this practice will help to reduce the frequency of doctor's visits, reduce the medication burden on patients, and generally improve people's health indicators.
According to the UK Minister of Health, physical activity is beneficial for both mental and physical health of patients. Walking and cycling can reduce the negative impact of stress and prevent the development and aggravation of diseases such as obesity and cardiovascular disease.
Paul Farmer, executive director of mental health charity MIND, however, does not see physical activity as a panacea for mental health problems. He therefore insists that more investment in psychological services is needed. To date, around eight million people are already receiving psychological support and more than one and a half million are waiting for their turn.
Similar medical prescriptions are already practiced in Australia. There, general practitioners and family doctors prescribe their patients to walk about 5 km a day.
In the future, experts predict to develop not only physical activity of the country's population, but also to stimulate reading, to introduce various social programs to combat loneliness. The creation of free joint reading groups is being initiated, as well as other interesting projects.
It is important to remember that the basis of exercise for anyone is to increase physical endurance. Cycling is ideal for this purpose. Specialists recommend bicycling as anaerobic exercise: at the same time a person enjoys the pleasure of the walk itself and being in the fresh air. As a result, a sufficient amount of physical effort is applied, energy exchange is improved, cyclic and static load is provided, and practically all muscle groups are engaged. However, despite the abundance of positive aspects, the doctor should also pay attention to possible contraindications.
Find out more at Theguardian