Health Watch is a Public Service of the Office of News and Publications and is intended to provide general information only and should not replace the advice of a medical professional. You should contact your physician if you have questions about any of these topics.
This week on Healthwatch, we've been talking about safe bicycling. Being prepared is an important part of preventing injuries and other health problems that might be related to cycling. You need the right bicycle, the right fuel for your body and good hygiene habits. You also need to make sure you're ready to take the heat, especially at this time of year.
Dr. Luis Palacios, a sports medicine expert at UT Southwestern Medical Center and an avid cyclist, says it takes time to build up tolerance for riding in the heat. Start with shorter training sessions, building up slowly to a more intense training load. Train during cooler parts of the day, and make sure to stay hydrated. If you're riding in hot weather, take a drink every ten to 15 minutes, whether or not you're thirsty.
Arming yourself with good health information before you start cycling can help you go farther.
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May 2005
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