BIKING FOR HEALTH!
As the spring is felt more and more these days, the experts point out the importance of bicycling as it helps move many of the muscles in the body. The experts, who claim that bicycling is a sustainable activity, stated that it had a dual benefit of fun and health at the same time. The student club of IUE academicians and students, allows its members to participate in competitions and benefit from a healthy life in nature.
Prof. Dr. İlgi Şemin, Director of IUE Vocational School of Health Sciences, stressed out the importance of exercising for a long and healthy life. She said, “Aerobic exercising especially has positive effect on many systems, mainly on circulatory system. Bicycling is a type of aerobic exercising. Many of the muscle groups get active, and heart and lungs work efficiently while bicycling, thus improving the physical fitness of an individual.”
Fun, health, and happiness=bicycle!
Prof. Dr. Şemin stated that bicycling, compared to other forms of exercising, caused less muscle tension and damage. The Professor listed the below benefits of bicycling:
“It activates all the major muscle groups, increases the heart rate better than walking does. It does not require a high level of physical skill, it is very simple. The intenseness is optional; one can start with a low intensity and increase it along the way. It is fun, it is a sustainable activity. You can exercise and use it as a means of transportation at the same time. It prevents obesity, and diseases caused by obesity such as diabetics, etc.”
Prof. Dr. Şemin also mentioned that bicycling increased muscle power and flexibility. She said that people who bicycled had lower blood fat level, and was protected against coronary heart diseases and strokes. It also decreased anxiety, depression, and stress levels said Prof. Dr. Şemin and indicated that bicycle was environment friendly at the same time.
‘Bicycling helped me attract nice people to my life’
Oğulcan Köken, the Founder and President of IUE Bicycle Club stated that they established the club 2 years ago and organized weekend activities. He said, “We do not organize sightseeing tours only, we also perform activities in terms of social responsibility. We attended Kubilay Martyrs Memorial with our bikes last year. We attend interuniversity competitions. Bicycling helped me attract nice people to my life. I use it as a sports and means of transportation. You become more aware of your surroundings when you are on the bicycle.”
As Oğulcan Köken came in third place at the 1st Turkey Inter-University Mountain Bike Race, Gökberk Nur came in fifth place. IUE Bicycle Club is currently training for new races.
