When I was a kid, pedal power was the way to go. In fact, it was the only way to go—anywhere. It was a mode of transportation for us. We used our bikes to transport us everywhere—the park, swim practice, babysitting jobs, summer recreation league.
Now, researchers are seeing positive test results when kids with cystic fibrosis begin a bike riding program, according to an online article at ResearchGate.
Back when I was riding a bike, you either had a ten-speed or a five-speed bike. We weren’t elitists, and there weren’t a lot of choices. There were no such things as hybrid bikes, body geometric seats, ergonomically designed pedals or lightweight frames. Our customized builds were a bit more modest and might include an extra steel pipe for standing on the back wheel, a spoke card in the front wheel or a woven white wicker basket with plastic flowers. We had simple needs and wants.
Most of us rode whatever we found under the Christmas tree each year, which was typically whatever Sears had offered in the Wish Book. The first day of taking the new wheels out for their inaugural ride? When you grow up in New York, that can be four agonizingly long months. For me, it was always worth the wait and would lead to days filled with fun, adventures and sweet freedom. For my parents, my bike got me out of the house, out of their hair, and was a wonderful source of exercise that required little parental oversight.
Now, bike riding is showing results in the CF community, too. A recent study into bike riding and children with CF is reporting a positive impact based on a year’s worth of research.
The scientists measured the function of the kids’ lungs, their nutritional status, growth, muscle changes and other benchmarks. All changes indicated were positive. There were no adverse effects over the entire year of bike riding. Even better—the kids were interested in trying other types of exercise programs in the future.
To learn more about how CF kids are pedaling their way to health, click here.
Are you living with CF? How have exercise programs helped you? Please post on Patient Worthy.
To learn more about CF and how exercise therapy helps, check out Cystic Life. For other info on CF, check out the Strawfie Challenge.
