Cycling UK Forum

I was surprised the other day by how weak some muscles can get without one realising.

I decided that cycling and walking is all predominantly lower body and it would maybe be an idea occasionally do something upper body. Winter, lots of miserable weather so decided to try swimming. Years since I've been swimming and local pool for over 65 is only £3-30 and they have lane swimming sessions.

Seemed OK. I have no idea about what is "good" vs "bad" load/performance, I just went for a swim, did just over 1 mile in 1 hr. Felt fine. I could feel I'd done some activity but could probably have continued for a bit longer if I'd been so inclined. Muscles fine over rest of day but next day inner thigh/groin muscles rather stiff walking a little awkward.

Just surprised me how some muscles don't get used in the course of everyday life, even with hiking and cycling (both upright and tadpole bent).

Quite enjoyed the swim - at least the 1st visit. Very civilised. Medium speed lane was a double lane with 3 swimmers (plus me=4). Think I'll try and keep it going, at least over term time in winter.

Ian

Well done.

Excellent exercise. And smart to have it in reserve and ready to go if you can't cycle for any reason.

Jonathan

Psamathe wrote: ↑10 Jan 2024, 12:49pm I was surprised the other day by how weak some muscles can get without one realising.

I decided that cycling and walking is all predominantly lower body and it would maybe be an idea occasionally do something upper body. Winter, lots of miserable weather so decided to try swimming. Years since I've been swimming and local pool for over 65 is only £3-30 and they have lane swimming sessions.

Seemed OK. I have no idea about what is "good" vs "bad" load/performance, I just went for a swim, did just over 1 mile in 1 hr. Felt fine. I could feel I'd done some activity but could probably have continued for a bit longer if I'd been so inclined. Muscles fine over rest of day but next day inner thigh/groin muscles rather stiff walking a little awkward.

Just surprised me how some muscles don't get used in the course of everyday life, even with hiking and cycling (both upright and tadpole bent).

Quite enjoyed the swim - at least the 1st visit. Very civilised. Medium speed lane was a double lane with 3 swimmers (plus me=4). Think I'll try and keep it going, at least over term time in winter.

Ian

There's this idea about that you can be "fit". In practice, you can be fit for this, that or the other physical activity type but quite unfit for dozens of others. Its a rare person who is "fit for anything". They do exist but they probably get that way by doing every kind of physical activity they can think of at the expense of other activities.

Certain kinds of soldier are a good example.

On the other hand, if you've done a particular kind of exercise to a relatively high and continuous level in the past, its remarkable how quickly you can return to that level after even a year or more of not doing it. Our bodies seem to have a memory of such things. You still suffer the aches and pains of unaccustomed exercise on resumption after a long period of not-doing it but that soon passes.

Of course, this doesn't work if you've become decrepit .... although even then, if the causes of decrepitude (grog, general laziness, bad grub, a debilitating health problem etc.) are removed, even the feebling who once wasn't can get back to what they were.

Age can't be got past, though. You can remain very fit for whatever you practice enough for many years but that top end gradually lowers.

Great.Just like diets just cycling alone to keep fit is very bad.Get TWO 3 kg weights and use while watching TV.Do balance exercise as recommended by Dr Mosley while brushing your teeth,
The first 5 mins of swimming is agony till you warm up and beware of the chlorine in the Water as not good for hair and eyes.
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I ride Brompton,Hetchins 531

It's not just 'unused' muscles, but also the way in which they are used. I went for a 3 hour mountain walk last weekend, first time for about 3 months, and for the following few days had really bad DOMS in my quads. This made walking difficult, but not cycling!

xerxes wrote: ↑11 Jan 2024, 12:58pm It's not just 'unused' muscles, but also the way in which they are used. I went for a 3 hour mountain walk last weekend, first time for about 3 months, and for the following few days had really bad DOMS in my quads. This made walking difficult, but not cycling!

In your reference they are talking about “eccentric “ muscle contraction…. I think that’s when the muscle extends while it’s working, like walking downhill; anybody able to confirm that, save me some Googling?

531colin wrote: ↑11 Jan 2024, 1:06pm

xerxes wrote: ↑11 Jan 2024, 12:58pm It's not just 'unused' muscles, but also the way in which they are used. I went for a 3 hour mountain walk last weekend, first time for about 3 months, and for the following few days had really bad DOMS in my quads. This made walking difficult, but not cycling!

In your reference they are talking about “eccentric “ muscle contraction…. I think that’s when the muscle extends while it’s working, like walking downhill; anybody able to confirm that, save me some Googling?

It certainly seems like downhill walking is the chief cause in my case. Afterwards I found it much more difficult walking downstairs than upstairs.

xerxes wrote: ↑11 Jan 2024, 1:18pm

531colin wrote: ↑11 Jan 2024, 1:06pm

xerxes wrote: ↑11 Jan 2024, 12:58pm It's not just 'unused' muscles, but also the way in which they are used. I went for a 3 hour mountain walk last weekend, first time for about 3 months, and for the following few days had really bad DOMS in my quads. This made walking difficult, but not cycling!

In your reference they are talking about “eccentric “ muscle contraction…. I think that’s when the muscle extends while it’s working, like walking downhill; anybody able to confirm that, save me some Googling?

It certainly seems like downhill walking is the chief cause in my case. Afterwards I found it much more difficult walking downstairs than upstairs.

Even those inured to a particular form of exercise can find themselves with muscles working sub-optimally after a good bashing of their fibres. In my middle years I did a number of longer but very hilly rides in the Pennines and Lake District, often of 100 - 120 miles, with lads of the long distance TT ilk who were merciless in their pace. After such a ride I could still walk up the stairs but occasionally had to come down them on me bum, as walking down was too risky because of the trembly legs and a lack of control over the silly things.

As I've aged, I've gradually given up the more strenuous fell walks, as going down became too risky. Going up remained easy but the descents began to see more stumbles or even falls, not so much from muscle weakness as lack of fine control once the legs became tired. It seemed more like the joints & sinews than the muscles were the problem.

Cugel wrote: ↑10 Jan 2024, 1:46pm
Age can't be got past, though. You can remain very fit for whatever you practice enough for many years but that top end gradually lowers.

Unfortunately it's not just age. I've always been a keen, 3-5 times a week gym user and a regular swimmer. Only 51yr's old now, but being Partially Disabled for 5yr's, found I've been illegally banned from using the Public Sector Gyms I'd used in Northumberland since 2005, for 5 yr's now. Specifically due to a Partial Disability. I was aware that Active Northumberland's manager didn't allow Blacks or Asians to use "his" gyms, but wasn't aware until I was banned for acquiring a Partial Disability, that even as a White Man, I'd be banned too, for having an occasional, partial seizure. Obviously when I raised the fact I'd been specifically banned on a criminal basis, various rationale were created (Nb. Strange that having served at a Senior Officer Level, in both Central and Local Gvt, with specific background checks undertaken prior to employment in partial, legal enforcement roles, no such rationale had ever been found )

Bit ironic. Aside from having to use a Private Sector Gym for the first time since I'd commenced using gyms in 1991, am now seriously having to think about moving out of Northumberland. Have finally realised why it's exceptional to see anyone from an ethnic background in Northumberland. Fortunately have never experienced these criminal attitudes in other parts of the country.

I used to do triathlons but these days I've dropped the running. Swimming and cycling is a nice combination for overall fitness. I've had a few injuries from cycling over the years, so now when I'm in the pool I try to do some kicking (wearing fins) to build up the muscles in the legs which are not used as much on the bike. Also swimming is quite good for the core and posture, which can't be a bad thing for cyclists.