Can Cycling Strengthen Leg Muscles and Increase Stamina?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the effects of cycling on leg muscle strength and stamina, exploring the relationship between cycling and other forms of exercise such as running. It touches on the physiological aspects of aerobic exercise and its implications for muscle development and endurance.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants question whether cycling strengthens the leg muscles used in walking and running, suggesting that it primarily develops muscular endurance rather than strength.
  • One participant argues that to build strength, anaerobic workouts with low repetitions and high weight are necessary, citing squats as an effective exercise for leg strength.
  • Another participant notes that while cycling does strengthen some voluntary muscles in the legs, it mainly enhances the vascular system and involuntary muscles, contributing to improved stamina through better oxygen efficiency.
  • Concerns are raised about the potential for injury if one relies solely on cycling before attempting long-distance running, indicating that cycling may not improve running speed despite enhancing stamina.
  • One participant suggests that cycling can be beneficial for weight loss, particularly for certain demographics.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the extent to which cycling strengthens leg muscles, with some asserting it does not contribute significantly to muscle strength while others believe it does have some strengthening effects. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the overall impact of cycling on muscle development compared to other exercises.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations in the discussion regarding the definitions of strength and endurance, as well as the specific conditions under which cycling may or may not benefit muscle development. The relationship between aerobic and anaerobic exercise is also not fully explored.

hivesaeed4
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Does cycling strengthen muscels in the leg which are also used in walking and running? And how does cycling improve your stamina?
 
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It does not strengthen your leg muscles. Running, cycling, etc are aerobic exercises and will develop muscular endurance. To build strength you need to perform anaerobic workouts with low repetitions and high weight. In the case of leg muscles, the squat is probably the best leg (and total body) workout you can do.
 
hivesaeed4 said:
Does cycling strengthen muscels in the leg which are also used in walking and running? And how does cycling improve your stamina?

Cycling is an aerobic exercise. Although it strengthens some voluntary muscles in the legs, it mostly develops certain systems basic to respiration. It develops the vascular system and some involuntary muscles (heart, etc.).
The development of the vascular system and t is why it helps develop stamina. The heart and lungs get developed. This makes the use of oxygen more efficient. So cycling does feed into running.
Unfortunately, cycling does not develop as many voluntary muscles as running. It does not develop certain muscles in the same order as the muscles in running. So although cycling does improve the stamina associated with running, it won’t necessarily help.
Your legs can get severely injured if you do most of your exercise by cycling and then try a long distance run. Cycling may prevent you from going out of breath while running, but it won’t improve your running speed.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aerobic_exercise
Aerobic exercise
Aerobic exercise (also known as cardio) is physical exercise of relatively low intensity that depends primarily on the aerobic energy-generating process.[1] Aerobic literally means "living in air",[2] and refers to the use of oxygen to adequately meet energy demands during exercise via aerobic metabolism.[3] Generally, light-to-moderate intensity activities that are sufficiently supported by aerobic metabolism can be performed for extended periods of time.[1]


Among the recognized benefits of doing regular aerobic exercise are:
Strengthening the muscles involved in respiration, to facilitate the flow of air in and out of the lungs
Strengthening and enlarging the heart muscle, to improve its pumping efficiency and reduce the resting heart rate, known as aerobic conditioning
Strengthening muscles throughout the body
Improving circulation efficiency and reducing blood pressure
Increasing the total number of red blood cells in the body, facilitating transport of oxygen
Improved mental health, including reducing stress and lowering the incidence of depression
Reducing the risk for diabetes.
Burns body fat, while building leaner muscle.
….
Outdoor
Cross-country skiing
Cycling
Inline skating
Jogging
Running
 
Thanks.
 
It seems that cycling can strengthen the muscles of the above body. What's important, for most girls,it can lose weight.O(∩_∩)O~
 

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