The sedentary lifestyle wreaks havoc on our joints; cycling regularly is an inexpensive solution to the problem, explains Dr Mody. Trouble with the knee and other joints is a problem that is commonly associated with the elderly, especially with people above the age of 60. However, that is no longer the case, Dr Aashay B Mody, consultant orthopaedic surgeon and director at Welcare Hospital, Vadodara, told HT Lifestyle.Cycling regularly helps keep the joints healthy. (Unsplash )Also Read | Can cranberry juice actually prevent UTI? Maryland doctor explains“A 31-year-old software professional walked into my clinic convinced something was seriously wrong with his knee. No injury, no fall, no sport — just a dull, persistent ache that worsened by evening. His scans were unremarkable. What he actually had was a body that sat for eleven hours a day and moved for almost none of them,” revealed Dr Mody.According to the surgeon, this case study no longer represents the exception, but rather, the modern norm. The knee and spine problems that were once associated with ageing are now appearing two to three decades earlier. He blamed the increasingly sedentary lifestyle of the youth.“Add rising rates of early weight gain, vitamin D deficiency from indoor living, and weekend-warrior bursts of intense exercise on untrained bodies, and you have the perfect setup for early joint strain,” he stated. However, the good news is that this is mostly preventable.How cycling protects the kneeThe answer to rising knee pain among the youth is the regular riding of bicycles, according to Dr Mody. Explaining how, the surgeon stated, “The knee is only as healthy as the muscles around it. Cycling builds the quadriceps, hamstrings and gluteal muscles - the exact groups responsible for stabilising the knee and offloading the joint itself.”Cycling is a low-impact workout with multiple health benefits. (Unsplash)“Stronger muscles mean less load transmitted through cartilage. It helps the spine too. Maintaining an upright, engaged posture on a properly fitted bicycle activates the core and the muscles along the back, gently countering the slumped posture most of us hold all day. Done regularly, cycling rebuilds the muscular support system that a sedentary routine quietly erodes.”Cycling beats running and jumping by being more low-impact than them. Dr Mody explained that for a person who has been already deconditioned from exercise or carries extra weight, running and jumping can aggravate the joints instead of strengthening. However, with cycling, one gets a cardiovascular and muscular workout with a fraction of the joint stress.Cycling as preventive healthcareCycling not only keeps a person physically fit, but also mentally healthy. According to Dr Mody, “Cycling, especially outdoors, is rhythmic, repetitive and meditative. It lowers stress, lifts mood and improves sleep - and people who feel mentally well are far more likely to stay consistent with the very movement that protects their joints.”In the end, mobility is a long game, and what one does in their thirties affects how they are in their sixties and seventies. Cycling is therefore considered by Dr Mody as preventive healthcare.In his words, “It strengthens the joints, supports the spine, protects cardiovascular health and steadies the mind - all at once, and at almost no cost to the body. You do not need expensive gear or a cycling club. Twenty to thirty minutes, a few times a week, at a comfortable pace, is enough to begin reversing the slow damage of a sedentary life.”Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.Debapriya Bhattacharya is a Content Producer at Hindustan Times. He started his career in 2022, working in newsrooms in beats like education, US news, trending stories, and entertainment. In his new role in the lifestyle desk, he seeks to deliver a balanced blend of research-driven reporting and creative storytelling from health and recipes to art and culture. Science, philosophy, food and pop culture are what pump his veins and help bring heart to his stories. Debapriya tries to see out subjects that will allow him and readers to explore new frontiers and improve the quality of life for all. The explorations can be both external and internal, as thoughts seek to be as chaotic as the greater universe. As a citizen of the world, Debapriya has been fascinated by the lives of people across the globe throughout time. His curiosity leads him to explore new linguistic and cultural landscapes to broaden his horizons and deepen his understanding of global narratives. Beyond the newsroom, Debapriya loves to participate in debate and theatre, spaces that he considers to be holy grounds for nuance and self-expression. A graduate from Ashutosh College, University of Calcutta, Debapriya completed his Master's degree from the same university in 2022. An ambiverted bibliophile, he loves his solitude as much as he adores stimulating conversations. And despite his reverence for tech, libraries continue to be his favourite place for research.Read MoreCyclingKnee PainCatch every big hit, every wicket with Crick-it, a one stop destination for Live Scores, Match Stats, Quizzes, Polls & much more. Explore now!.Catch your daily dose of Fashion, Taylor Swift, Health, Festivals, Travel, Relationship, Recipe and all the other Latest Lifestyle News on Hindustan Times Website and APPs.See Less