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Quiz: How Much Do You Know About Cycling and Its Health Benefits?

The activity may be better for you than you realize

Michelle Crouch,

AARP

En español

Published July 08, 2021

10 Questions

b8e692f6-2167-45f1-b1ce-49034235b6ce

Quiz: How Much Do You Know About Cycling and Its Health Benefits?

[ {
  "question" : "Which of the following is a proven health benefit of cycling?",
  "answers" : [ {
    "answer" : "Reduces your risk of cancer",
    "correctAnswer" : false
  }, {
    "answer" : "Reduces your risk of heart disease",
    "correctAnswer" : false
  }, {
    "answer" : "Reduces your risk of death",
    "correctAnswer" : false
  }, {
    "answer" : "All of the above",
    "correctAnswer" : true
  } ],
  "multiSelect" : false,
  "explanation" : "A large study published in the British Medical Journal found that regular cycling cut the risk of death from any cause by 41 percent, the risk of cancer by 45 percent and the risk of heart disease by 46 percent.",
  "hint" : "",
  "hintLink" : "",
  "questionImgCaption" : "",
  "questionImgCredit" : ""
}, {
  "question" : "If you begin bicycling on a regular basis after age 50, research shows you can reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes by how much?",
  "answers" : [ {
    "answer" : "5 percent",
    "correctAnswer" : false
  }, {
    "answer" : "13 percent",
    "correctAnswer" : false
  }, {
    "answer" : "18 percent",
    "correctAnswer" : false
  }, {
    "answer" : "20 percent",
    "correctAnswer" : true
  } ],
  "multiSelect" : false,
  "explanation" : "A study of more than 50,000 people published in PLOS Medicine showed that the more time the participants spent cycling, the lower their risk for type 2 diabetes.",
  "hint" : "",
  "hintLink" : "",
  "questionImgCaption" : "",
  "questionImgCredit" : ""
}, {
  "question" : "Which scientist reportedly came up with one of his or her most famous ideas while riding a bike?",
  "answers" : [ {
    "answer" : "Isaac Newton",
    "correctAnswer" : false
  }, {
    "answer" : "Carl Sagan",
    "correctAnswer" : false
  }, {
    "answer" : "Albert Einstein",
    "correctAnswer" : true
  }, {
    "answer" : "Marie Curie",
    "correctAnswer" : false
  } ],
  "multiSelect" : false,
  "explanation" : "Einstein supposedly said, “I thought of that while riding my bicycle,” referring to his theory of relativity.",
  "hint" : "",
  "hintLink" : "",
  "questionImgCaption" : "",
  "questionImgCredit" : ""
}, {
  "question" : "Which is true about cycling if you have arthritis?",
  "answers" : [ {
    "answer" : "The repetitive motion can trigger flares and make joint pain worse.",
    "correctAnswer" : false
  }, {
    "answer" : "Cycling on a stationary bike is OK, but experts recommend against outdoor cycling.",
    "correctAnswer" : false
  }, {
    "answer" : "Cycling can reduce joint pain and stiffness.",
    "correctAnswer" : true
  }, {
    "answer" : "A recumbent bike is the best option because it puts less pressure on tender joints.",
    "correctAnswer" : false
  } ],
  "multiSelect" : false,
  "explanation" : "Experts say any type of cycling is a great choice for people with arthritis because it strengthens the muscles that support your knees and helps you keep your weight down.",
  "hint" : "",
  "hintLink" : "",
  "questionImgCaption" : "",
  "questionImgCredit" : ""
}, {
  "question" : "Cycling at a moderate pace burns more calories than which sport?",
  "answers" : [ {
    "answer" : "Water aerobics",
    "correctAnswer" : false
  }, {
    "answer" : "Swimming",
    "correctAnswer" : false
  }, {
    "answer" : "Golfing (carrying clubs)",
    "correctAnswer" : false
  }, {
    "answer" : "All of the above",
    "correctAnswer" : true
  } ],
  "multiSelect" : false,
  "explanation" : "According to Harvard University, a 155-pound person would burn 252 calories in 30 minutes of moderate stationary cycling (or 288 calories riding 12-plus mph outside), compared to 216 calories swimming, 198 calories golfing or 144 calories doing water aerobics.",
  "hint" : "",
  "hintLink" : "",
  "questionImgCaption" : "",
  "questionImgCredit" : ""
}, {
  "question" : "According to a Dutch study, what is true of people who cycle regularly compared to those who don't cycle?",
  "answers" : [ {
    "answer" : "They drink more water.",
    "correctAnswer" : false
  }, {
    "answer" : "They take less sick leave.",
    "correctAnswer" : true
  }, {
    "answer" : "They are less likely to be diagnosed with mental illness.",
    "correctAnswer" : false
  }, {
    "answer" : "They are more likely to get testicular cancer.",
    "correctAnswer" : false
  } ],
  "multiSelect" : false,
  "explanation" : "A study published in the journal Preventive Medicine found that people who cycle regularly take one less day of sick leave per year compared to those who don't.",
  "hint" : "",
  "hintLink" : "",
  "questionImgCaption" : "",
  "questionImgCredit" : ""
}, {
  "question" : "Which of the following statements is true about electric-assist bikes?",
  "answers" : [ {
    "answer" : "They're an environmentally friendly transportation option but offer little cardiovascular benefit.",
    "correctAnswer" : false
  }, {
    "answer" : "They can be difficult to learn to ride.",
    "correctAnswer" : false
  }, {
    "answer" : "They offer the same or better cognitive and mental health benefits as a standard bike.",
    "correctAnswer" : true
  }, {
    "answer" : "All of the above",
    "correctAnswer" : false
  } ],
  "multiSelect" : false,
  "explanation" : "Research shows that most e-bike riders elevate their breathing and heart rates enough to get a meaningful cardiovascular workout.",
  "hint" : "",
  "hintLink" : "",
  "questionImgCaption" : "",
  "questionImgCredit" : ""
}, {
  "question" : "You know your bike seat is at the correct height if:",
  "answers" : [ {
    "answer" : "Your seat is at thigh level when you stand beside your bike",
    "correctAnswer" : false
  }, {
    "answer" : "Your knees bend slightly when your foot is at the bottom of the pedal stroke",
    "correctAnswer" : true
  }, {
    "answer" : "Your leg is fully extended when your foot is at the bottom of the pedal stroke",
    "correctAnswer" : false
  }, {
    "answer" : "Your knee extends in front of the pedal when riding",
    "correctAnswer" : false
  } ],
  "multiSelect" : false,
  "explanation" : "For the best fit, your seat should be aligned with your hip bone when standing next to your bike, and your knees should bend slightly at the bottom of your pedal stroke.",
  "hint" : "",
  "hintLink" : "",
  "questionImgCaption" : "",
  "questionImgCredit" : ""
}, {
  "question" : "What American city has the highest bike ridership, according to the advocacy group PeopleForBikes?",
  "answers" : [ {
    "answer" : "Portland, Ore. ",
    "correctAnswer" : true
  }, {
    "answer" : "Washington, D.C.",
    "correctAnswer" : false
  }, {
    "answer" : "Seattle",
    "correctAnswer" : false
  }, {
    "answer" : "Manhattan, N.Y.",
    "correctAnswer" : false
  } ],
  "multiSelect" : false,
  "explanation" : "Portland has 385 miles of bikeways, including many that are physically separated from street traffic.",
  "hint" : "",
  "hintLink" : "",
  "questionImgCaption" : "",
  "questionImgCredit" : ""
}, {
  "question" : "Which statement is true about cyclists age 50 and older, according to a 2020 AARP survey?",
  "answers" : [ {
    "answer" : "They prefer cycling alone rather than with a group.",
    "correctAnswer" : false
  }, {
    "answer" : "They acknowledge that they will have to stop riding once they reach a certain age.",
    "correctAnswer" : false
  }, {
    "answer" : "The COVID-19 pandemic severely reduced the amount of time they spent cycling.",
    "correctAnswer" : false
  }, {
    "answer" : "They view electric-assist bikes as a way to continue cycling when stamina declines.",
    "correctAnswer" : true
  } ],
  "multiSelect" : false,
  "explanation" : "Most older adults surveyed said they consider cycling to be a staple of their lives and they can't envision a time when they would stop riding.",
  "hint" : "",
  "hintLink" : "",
  "questionImgCaption" : "",
  "questionImgCredit" : ""
} ]

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Michelle Crouch is a contributing writer who has covered health and personal finance for some of the nation’s top consumer publications. Her work has appeared in Reader’s Digest, Real Simple, Prevention, The Washington Post and The New York Times.

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