Sport is healthy. That is well known. Nevertheless, many people do not exercise enough. Almost half of Germans do little or no sport. Common reasons are a lack of motivation or physical limitations such as being overweight (TK-Beweegungsstudie 2016). But why are physical activity, fitness and exercise so important? And how much exercise is healthy? How can the eBike support this? Physiotherapist Philipp Hausser provides answers.
1 How important is exercise for fitness and health?
Hausser: A few numbers up front: More than half of the population in Germany is overweight. 400,000 to 500,000 Germans have a permanent prosthesis fitted every year - and the trend is rising. And almost every German suffers from back pain at least once in his or her life. Lack of exercise is considered the most common cause of health problems such as obesity or joint problems. Whether you consider the cardiovascular system, the joints or even the brain, sporting activities promote oxygen supply throughout the body and can slow down aging and degenerative processes. Exercise makes and keeps you healthy.
2 How much exercise is healthy?
Hausser: Daily exercise can prevent diseases. There is even evidence that 15 minutes of physical activity per day is enough to increase life expectancy by three years. The World Health Organization recommends 150 minutes of moderate exercise - that is, elevated pulse, getting out of breath easily - per week to achieve positive effects. In principle, any form of physical activity is better than not being active at all.
3 How do you use the bicycle in your work?
Hausser: Cycling is very suitable for people for whom walking causes pain, as the joint load can be better controlled with this type of sport. In our practices, we use the bicycle ergometer to get back into shape, for example after an operation, to warm up before a training session, or for endurance training and weight loss.
4 What do you see as the health benefits of eBikes?
Hausser: What's special about eBikes is that the load can be regulated and adapted to the rider's endurance and state of health. This means that eBikes offer patients, especially after joint replacement, a wonderful opportunity to remain active. In this way, they can slowly get used to more intensive loads again. For those with weaker physical condition, the electric support allows them to compensate for physical prerequisites. In addition, the eBike is already used in professional sports - for example, by the national soccer team - for regenerative training units or as a balance to everyday soccer life.
5 How can the eBike provide more exercise?
Hausser: The supportive effect of the eBike and the quick successes can motivate people to reach for their "sports equipment" more often. With the pedelec, distances also feel shorter. Thus, the eBike can also be used for distances that would normally be covered by car, for example, for commuting to work or for the weekly shopping. Exercise is thus integrated directly into everyday life. For some, a fitness tracker that shows the exact training successes can also have an additional motivating effect. There are on-board computers for the eBike that can be attached directly to the bicycle handlebars. However, everyone must decide for themselves what motivates them. The main thing is that the movement is fun!
How fast am I going? How many kilocalories have I burned? The all-in-one Nyon on-board computer from Bosch can inform the eBike rider with all relevant fitness data in real time. Via pedal force and cadence, Nyon calculates power and energy consumption. And in conjunction with an additional heart rate chest strap, you can even always train in the right pulse range. This means that your "personal trainer" is always with you on the handlebars.
6 What do you need to keep in mind when eBiking?
Hausser: The basic prerequisite for using an eBike is that the rider has sufficient joint mobility to get on the bike and the appropriate reaction time to safely master situations in traffic. People who use the pedelec for health reasons should seek professional advice and have a training plan drawn up based on a performance test. An ergonomic seating position is also a prerequisite for lasting riding pleasure and well-being when cycling. Therefore, it is best to have the dealer check directly whether the frame, handlebar and saddle height are correct and everything is adjusted correctly.
About Philipp Hausser
Philipp Hausser, physiotherapist and sports and gymnastics teacher, is a partner in two practices for physiotherapy and training. He also teaches at various schools and training centers. For the 38-year-old, sport is of great importance and a health-conscious lifestyle is important to him. Regular physical activity is an important balance to his everyday life.