Which is better, cycling or running?

Cycling and running are both good ways to exercise. There is no superiority or inferiority between the two. It mainly depends on which one suits you or which one you need. But generally speaking, it is best to alternate between these two exercise methods. First of all, compared with running, cycling generally does not cause joint damage, while running will. However, because cycling is a highly repetitive sport, it can easily lead to tendon inflammation, which is not the case with running. Running mainly affects the joints.

Compared with the two, the advantage of cycling is that it is less likely to cause joint damage. It is a closed-type sport, with the feet fixed on the pedals. It is relatively stable for the ligaments around the knee joint, and it brings less impact and pressure to the joints, making it less likely to cause arthritis. However, it is highly repetitive and mostly causes tendon inflammation.

However, running is an open-type exercise that places a great impact on the joints, and therefore has a greater impact on their degeneration and wear. Therefore, patients with symptoms of joint discomfort, or who have just undergone cruciate ligament surgery or fracture recovery, are not suitable for high-impact rehabilitation exercises such as running. Cycling is a better choice. Therefore, for cyclists and runners who love sports, if their physical condition allows, alternating between the two exercises can not only train the muscles in different parts of the body, but also avoid excessive use of the muscles and joints in the same part, and of course can reduce sports injuries.

So generally it is good to perform these two exercises alternately. Cycling can help improve joints while running can help increase bone density. So if conditions permit, you can alternate between the two exercises. Or if you want to exercise a certain part of your body, you can also choose the exercise that is more suitable for you.