Today, the Tour de Pologne "enters" Katowice, where a time trial stage will be held. Our cardiology specialist and fan of "two wheels", Andrzej Tomasik, MD, PhD, from the 2nd Chair and Clinical Department of Cardiology at the SUM in Zabrze, says that there is no sport more healthy than cycling.
- From the perspective of a doctor - a cyclist as well as a participant, I ride for my health, and I treat participation in races as a way of mobilising myself to be systematic. Daily, or systematic, cycling on days and routes set by ourselves has a beneficial effect on our whole organism," explains Dr Andrzej Tomasik.
What does cycling give us concretely? - A general improvement in physical fitness and a reduction in blood pressure. It is a basic method of non-pharmacological treatment of hypertension, i.e. arterial hypertension which causes, among other things, the development of ischaemic heart disease, adds the doctor - a cyclist from SUM.
Of course, regular cycling reduces body weight and is therefore an effective and very healthy "slimming measure". In addition, it improves the metabolic profile. - As a result, it gives you better control of your sugar levels and improves your lipid profile," argues Andrzej Tomasik, MD, who took part, among other things, in the Tour de Pologne for Amateurs and placed very well in his year. (Photo: No. 507)
Cycling has a beneficial effect on our psyche by reducing stress. It improves the function of the knee and hip joints. It also increases the strength of the muscles in the lower limbs.
- In a nutshell, people who use this form of exercise, and who additionally lead a healthy lifestyle, can count on prolonging their lives - SUM's specialist encourages people to practice their favourite sport. - As a practising cardiologist myself, I set an example for patients to 'take a liking' to systematic activity, because I believe in its absolutely key role in maintaining wellbeing and health,' assesses docent Tomasik.
It is worth mentioning that this is already the 80th edition of the race.
- Czesław Lang, Director of the Tour de Pologne, clearly uses the image of the Tour of Poland to promote regions, to stimulate their regional development, but also to promote general physical activity. This last aspect is most clearly evidenced by the events accompanying the TdP: the children's race and the Tour de Pologne Amatorów. This year, 2,200 participants registered for the amateur race and 1,616 were classified. Let's hope there are more cyclists in our towns and cities every year. After all, it is already apparent that Poles love this sport.
