A study conducted by the Institute of Neuroscience and Human Behavior (INHB) concluded that people who ride two-wheelers experience less stress and feel more fulfilled than those who ride four-wheelers.
The study was originally intended to find out whether bikers ride their bikes in constant fear of getting into an accident, but it unexpectedly turned out that the opposite was true. The results center around a particular hormone called cortisol, which is released in the brain when we feel anxious. Scientists found that motorcyclists produced 28% less cortisol during the test than drivers on the same course.
The study was carried out in a supervised manner by INHB, with 50 motorcyclists and 50 car drivers riding around a closed course for 20 minutes. During this time, the team measured the users’ heart rate, cortisol, and adrenaline levels. It’s the user’s brain activity, and this is where we get the most interesting results.
The results showed that while riding, participants experienced increased sensory focus and increased resilience to distractions. Riding also increased his adrenaline levels and heart rate and decreased his cortisol levels. This is the kind of result you often get after a light exercise session with stress-reducing effects.
Are bikes better for you physically?
News about the mental health of motorcyclists goes hand-in-hand with research showing that riding a motorcycle can burn between 170 and 600 calories per hour. Some people can burn it off in an hour at the gym.
So, motorcycles are really good for your body and mind!
