Odd breathlessness

[Ebikester]

I cycled 27 kilometres yesterday in hilly Sheffield without any breathing problems. But I get breathless after walking 50 yards.

I am disabled by back problems and arthritis could this explain the the difference.

[madonbrew]

Hi, I don’t know about the back problems and arthritis, but I found it interesting when I was on holiday in Cornwall last year. I have severe asthma and am wheezy most of the time and like you can be breathless walking 50 yards. But in Cornwall we were staying in a cottage up a massive, steep hill and I managed to do that everyday, even a couple of times a day sometimes, with no problems.

I don’t know if it was the air, or what, but it was very noticeable. I don’t think I used my ventolin at all hardly, whereas usually I need it really regularly.

Dunno 🤷‍♀️ It’s good you managed to do a great cycle ride though!

[beech]

I have a static bike I use at home to exercise my lungs principally, but also a bit of cardio and leg muscle strengthening. I can do cycling for long periods without problem, but I find walking much more challenging and often need to stop and get my breath back.I’d love to have an explanation, I suspect it’s just something quite simple!

[jackdup in reply to beech]

When you are sitting on a bike, even a stationary one, your weight is all on the seat and so your legs are only pushing whatever resistance you have the bike set at, whereas when you are walking your legs are carrying your full weight. When you take a step your one leg is carrying all the weight while the other is moving your foot ahead, and then your full weight transfers to that door/leg. When you are riding a real bike your legs are propelling your entire weight but again your legs are not carrying your full weight, just propelling it forward with whatever mechanical advantage you have, given what gear you are in on the bike.

[CDPO16 in reply to jackdup]

Great explanation.

[beech in reply to jackdup]

Aha - thanks for that! It is a simple reason, but one I hadn’t worked out! 🙄. So losing that additional lockdown weight would really be worthwhile.... 😂

[jackdup in reply to beech]

I’m still trying to lose the additional weight I had before lockdown. 😊

[katieoxo60 in reply to jackdup]

Thank you jackup, I have always wanted a clear explanation to pass to others, I struggle to walk any distance , my pains are worse if I carry anything even small shopping bag nowadays. I managed a static bike at the gym and a tread mill, but struggled to walk across the road. So it looks like seated exercise would be best for me as my stamina has fallen during the lockdown.

[O2Trees in reply to jackdup]

This is correct - walking is loadbearing, cycling is not!

[Hidden]

Although I could never cycle 27 kilometres, when I felt able to cycle safely I did always find it easier and less effort and puff than walking, providing I was cycling on the flat and I didn't have to keep getting on and off the saddle at crossings (I found that mounting and dismounting too often took a lot of puff and energy)

I do suspect your back problems and arthritis could well add to your walking difficulty.