Cycling keeps your muscles young – our latest study

Our ground-breaking new study has found clear evidence that cycling is a great way to stay physically healthy for longer.

Our latest research (Study 4) used MRI scanning to explore the effects of cycling on muscle mass, specifically in the gluteal muscles. These muscles are important for mobility and reduced risk of falling as we age.

MRI results from 28 male recreational cyclists were compared with those from 28 people who described themselves as inactive. The average age of subjects was 49. The research found that cyclists had lower levels of fat infiltration and greater muscle mass than inactive individuals of the same age.

One of the first studies into cycling and muscle health

Professor Alister Hart, who heads up the Exercise for Science initiative, said: “There have been many studies into the cardiovascular effects of cycling, but very few exploring muscle health.

“This area is a very important one. The weakening of muscles with age – known as sarcopenia – is one of the key causes of mobility loss in older adults. Our research shows that cycling is a great way to delay those effects, by maintaining muscles and preventing them from being weakened by fat infiltration.

“While most of us know that exercise is good for us, Exercise for Science is focused on understanding the detail behind that, to have clearer insights into how we can live well for longer.”

Furthering the understanding of exercise

Exercise for Science brings together scientists, doctors, orthopaedic surgeons and radiologists in combined research, scientifically testing the effects, risks and benefits of exercise.

This study compared people who had cycled more than 7000 km in the last year, who have trained for 15 years on average, with volunteers who do less than one hour of exercise per week and have not practiced sports for an average of 27 years. The average body mass index (BMI) of the cyclists was 23%, compared with 29% for the non-active participants.

MRI scans examined both the gluteus maximus, which is highly involved in the physical motion of cycling, and the gluteus medius, which is not directly strengthened by the sport. Yet both muscles showed less fat infiltration and greater size in the cyclists compared with the non-active participants.

Ground-breaking techniques

This study was made possible thanks to new methods of using MRI devised by Exercise for Science and researched, evidenced and published over the last five years.

Applying Artificial Intelligence to the MRI process makes it possible to measure muscle health both accurately and much more quickly. Analysis that previously took two days per person now takes just 10 minutes. As a result, the research team were able to examine large numbers of cyclists and generate accurate and precise data for statistical comparison.

Featured in The Times

This study was explored by The Times on 28 March 2023 in an article called How Cycling Can Add Years To Your Life.