CYCLING: IMPACTS ON SUPPORT SYSTEMS AND METABOLISM – A NARRATIVE REVIEW OF CARDIORESPIRATORY, MUSCULOSKELETAL, AND METABOLIC ADAPTATIONS

Abstract

Cycling is a widely practiced physical activity, used as sport, leisure and means of transportation. This narrative review aimed to synthesize the scientific evidence on the impacts of cycling on the support and metabolism systems: cardiovascular, pulmonary, musculoskeletal and metabolic. Articles published mainly between 2015 and 2026, indexed in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases, were analyzed. The results demonstrated that cycling promotes reduced resting heart rate, increased heart rate variability, and improved aerobic capacity. In the pulmonary system, cycling improves ventilatory capacity, pulmonary gas diffusion, and respiratory muscle efficiency. In the musculoskeletal system, cycling predominantly recruits lower limb muscles, promoting specific neuromuscular adaptations, although cycling alone impairs bone health, requiring the incorporation of impact exercises and strength training. In the metabolic system, cycling improves glycemic control and reduces insulin resistance in people with type 2 diabetes, prediabetes, overweight, and obesity. It is concluded that cycling is an accessible and effective tool for promoting cardiovascular, pulmonary, musculoskeletal and metabolic health.