NPR: Like to bike? Your knees will thank you and you may live longer, too

[2000m2]

Likely not a big surprise to the paceliners here, but nice article for cyclists.

https://www.npr.org/sections/health-...vity-arthritis

"A substantial body of evidence supports the health benefits of cycling, everything from strengthening the immune system to boosting the likelihood of living longer. Now, a new study finds people who are in the habit of riding a bike are significantly less likely to have osteoarthritis and experience pain in their knees by age 65, compared to people who don't bike."

[benb]

I had a co-worker come ask me about this article this morning.

Probably a lot of this would suspect this anecdotally. Lots of older cyclists seem like they come from a different planet than their peers.

[paredown]

Originally Posted by benb

I had a co-worker come ask me about this article this morning.

Probably a lot of this would suspect this anecdotally. Lots of older cyclists seem like they come from a different planet than their peers.

Facebook--and its mysterious algorithm--has been showing a "Cycling Past 70' group. (They probably know that I would qualify.)

Some folks look old-ish, some look like they have started back cycling for health benefits, but there are a large number of pretty fit looking folks, and (encouragingly) there are both men and women posting.

Now we all understand that this is self-selection--but I can tell you it is encouraging!

[thwart]

Originally Posted by benb

Lots of older cyclists seem like they come from a different planet than their peers.

My wife (and others who know me well) would likely agree.

[reuben]

Originally Posted by benb

Lots of older cyclists seem like they come from a different planet than their peers.

You earthlings are so provincial.

[makoti]

Originally Posted by paredown

Facebook--and its mysterious algorithm--has been showing a "Cycling Past 70' group. (They probably know that I would qualify.)

I get that one to. I keep yelling at it, NOT YET!!!

[Louis]

I briefly scanned the story and it doesn't look like they addressed this aspect of things, but I bet you could generalize and show that the same thing applies to any number of other non-impact cardio sports such as swimming or rowing.

[slowpoke]

Originally Posted by benb

Probably a lot of this would suspect this anecdotally. Lots of older cyclists seem like they come from a different planet than their peers.

Here's the actual paper: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38600648/

I can't tell if they reliably accounted for survivorship bias. I.e. the remaining people still biking are because they didn't get osteoarthritis versus the peers who did and had to stop riding.

[duff_duffy]

The demand for steel rim brake bikes with 23mm tires is going to bounce back with everyone over 70 getting back into cycling!

Originally Posted by paredown

Facebook--and its mysterious algorithm--has been showing a "Cycling Past 70' group. (They probably know that I would qualify.)

Some folks look old-ish, some look like they have started back cycling for health benefits, but there are a large number of pretty fit looking folks, and (encouragingly) there are both men and women posting.

Now we all understand that this is self-selection--but I can tell you it is encouraging!

[buddybikes]

Would say this about swimmers.