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SALT LAKE CITY — There are few exercises that include almost painless exertion, practical transportation, and a feeling of personal freedom. Riding a bicycle is one.
According to Dr. Max Testa and his sports medicine colleagues at Intermountain Healthcare’s Salt Lake Clinic, the best way to prevent illness is to stay active.
The team of professionals, including physicians and bicycle mechanics, accept appointments to meet with riders of all levels to take measurements and make adjustments to ensure bikes function properly. The sports medicine team also helps improve riders' conditioning and prevent physical problems that may arise. The services are available to anyone and cost is dependent upon healthcare coverage.
“We see the athlete and their bike so we see their injuries," Testa said. "We check the position of the bike and we put the two parts together.”
Testa said biking is a great sport for the heart, lungs and joints.
“The force that goes through your knee when you walk is three times your body weight. When you jog, it’s more, and when you run it’s 11 times...a bike is 1.4 - 2 times.”
If it’s been a while since someone has been in the saddle, Testa prescribes starting with an easy approach, otherwise a rider may “start to develop injuries or pain before you get the benefit,” he said. “If you’re a beginner, it’s going to trigger some aches and pains. Some are normal. Maybe your neck is a little stiff and your back, after the first ride over an hour. If you see a trend that these things get less and less the more you ride, you’re fine.”
