Bicycle ride: relationship to arthritis

On Oct. 13, 1978, the rock band Queen released the song Bicycle Race. The song was inspired and written by Freddie Mercury as he watched the 18th stage of the 1978 Tour de France when the riders passed the Montreux studio where the band was recording their album Jazz. The song has the iconic lyrics, "I want to ride my bicycle, I want to ride my bike". Many commercials have used the song to promote products including TurboTax® during the 2026 tax season. The song was used in 2017 to promote the Tour de France. Can bicycle riding help with arthritis? Hip osteoarthritis is a significant global health condition and is a leading cause of chronic disability in people over the age of 55 years. In the United States, about 1 out of every 4 people will develop hip osteoarthritis or 37.5 million Americans. From 1990 to 2019, hip osteoarthritis increased by 24.67%. This increase is substantial and researchers are looking for answers. Clinical guidelines recommend education, weight loss, and exercise as core treatments for hip osteoarthritis. Current evidence does not recommend a specific exercise regimen for individuals with hip arthritis. Researchers and healthcare professionals have become increasingly interested in how specific physical activities may impact the development and management of hip osteoarthritis. One area gaining attention is the role of cycling in individuals with hip osteoarthritis. In a study published in Lancet Rheumatology, researchers from the United Kingdom examined whether a structured cycling and education program could improve outcomes for individuals with hip osteoarthritis. They followed over 200 adults who were receiving treatment for hip pain and compared those participating in an 8-week cycling program to those receiving standard physiotherapy care such as exercise routines and education. The study assigned 110 individuals ages 18-45 years of age to static cycling (stationary bike) program and 111 with usual care either in person or on the phone with a physiotherapist (physical therapist in the U.S.). The researchers used a validated scale known as the Hip Disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (HOOS) to objectively measure hip pain, discomfort, and the individual's ability to perform activities of daily living. The HOOS was completed at baseline before the study and then after the 8-week program to see if there was any improvement. Researchers found that both groups showed improvement in their hip pain, however, the cycling group showed greater improvements overall in their daily activities. This improvement is due to cycling strengthening the muscles around the hip joint and increasing overall mobility by placing less stress on the joints due to its low-impact nature. An additional benefit is that cycling can improve cardiovascular fitness. The researchers reported no serious adverse events related to the cycling program, showing that it can be an easy and stress-free form of exercise for many individuals. Overall, incorporating low-impact physical activities such as cycling, along with proper education and guidance, is key to managing symptoms of hip osteoarthritis and maintaining joint health. Contact your healthcare professionals to find ways to incorporate cycling into your routine. You want to ride your bicycle to help with osteoarthritis hip pain! Jakob Demmitt is a student pharmacist and Karen Kier is a pharmacist with ONU HealthWise Pharmacy.