Striking the Perfect Balance: Why Mountain Biking Is So Good for Your Child’s Health

Dr Katrin Kollegger is all in favor of mountain biking adventures across all terrains – and she's a big fan of woom bikes. 

Katrin Kollegger is more than familiar with the impact of a western lifestyle, a lack of exercise and an unhealthy diet. She sees it at her practice day in, day out. The general practitioner from Vienna has been examining and treating people of all ages for many years now, so she's well versed in the challenges people face during the different seasons of their lives. She's helped us put together this list of the top reasons that make mountain biking such a fantastic activity offering a whole host of mental and physical health benefits for kids. 

1. Start them young: mountain biking sets kids up for an active lifestyle

The foundations for an active lifestyle are laid during childhood. And yet the number of children in developed countries who get enough exercise and eat a nutritious diet is dwindling. According to the World Health Organization, bad habits like eating unhealthily and not doing enough physical activity combined with a general ignorance about the long-term effects are to blame for the rise in chronic illnesses and health problems. Katrin Kollegger explains:

An early intro sports and outdoor activity increases the chances that children will grow up living an active and healthy lifestyle that will see them through their adult years. 

And it's so much easier to get started when you're a child than when you're an adult.

For example, children aged between eight and ten can pick up motor skills with incredible ease. And that puts them in a strong position to get used to new physical activities like cycling, ball games and swimming.

Children have an innate urge to move. And they sure do love a challenge:

First and foremost, mountain biking should be an activity that kids enjoy. The more you can incorporate the fun factor into your bike rides, the faster your child will fall in love with mountain biking. >> Check out our top tips here!

2. Mountain biking is the perfect way to bond

Mountain biking is a sport you can enjoy together as a family. Once your child has built up their fitness, stamina and cycling skills, they'll no doubt be able to keep up with their older siblings.

It can be really difficult to find a family sport that works for everyone – especially if there's quite a big age gap between your children. But once your youngest child is ready for mountain biking, a whole world of adventure opens up to you all. 

Mountain biking is a great way to spend time together as a family:

Speaking of family time... 

Just imagine the adventures you could have on a mountain biking vacation with the kids. If you're wondering how old your child needs to be for this to be an option and how you might go about planning it, the experts from woom have the answers you need right here >>

3. Mountain biking strengthens the back, muscles and joints

Children often spend too much time sitting down these days. There are lots of reasons for this. For one thing, children have a lot less free time once they've started school. After that point, their daily routine revolves around sedentary activities.

And screen time has a lot to answer for too. But what's the impact? There may be changes in muscle strength and tension, which can cause poor posture and even pain in the long term. 

In her work as an occupational therapist, Katrin Kollegger sees one particular phenomenon all the time: We often stay in the same position for hours on end and repeat the same movements too, which results in muscle imbalance.

But mountain biking can counteract these negative effects because it gives your child a chance to really let off steam, which has a positive impact on their fitness and muscles.

The biceps and triceps in the upper arm need to be engaged and working in tandem to cushion the bumps when cycling over uneven terrain. Every pedal stroke strengthens the glutes and leg muscles. And the deep back muscles along the spine are given a real workout, which is essential for core stability. Just remember that:

4. Mountain biking is good for the bones

Bone tissue is constantly remodeling. As children grow, their bone mass increases and doesn't reach its peak until they're in their 20s. All physical activity stimulates the function of the bone cells, with high-impact sports bringing the most benefits. Think soccer, football and tennis.

5. Mountain biking helps you breathe easy

The humid air in a forest is virtually free from particulates and pollutants. As your child cycles through the woodland, they'll be breathing in a fresh and fragrant blend of essential oils, resin and sap. 

Forest trails are a firm favorite with mountain biking kids, who can breathe the clean and healthy air deep into their lungs.

6. Mountain biking is an alternative to screen time

There are so many sources of stimulation for kids these days. Digital media is a force to be reckoned with. Children's brains have to process all the information they're bombarded with so they can react.

If your child is going to be able to contextualize and store the new things they learn, it's so important that they have some downtime and alternative activities to TV, video games, and other forms of screentime.

Katrin Kollegger recommends:

Mountain biking is also an activity that gives your child a chance to be in the moment and focus all their attention on themselves, their bike and the route in front of them.

Your child can always stop for a rest and take a moment to appreciate the nature around them. They might be able to find some pretty flowers and spot some wild animals.

_{* The parasympathetic nervous system is part of the vegetative nervous system, which controls unconscious processes in our body. This system controls the muscles in all our organs, which means it regulates vital bodily functions like our heartbeat, breathing, circulation, metabolism, and digestion.}

7. Mountain biking is liberating

Children are learning new things every day. They develop quickly and are highly adaptable. As a parent, you need to accept that your child can do a lot of things independently even when they're still very young. The earlier your child learns how to overcome the big and small challenges life throws at them on their own, the better equipped they will be to deal with stress.

Sports tend to be an effective way of balancing out the everyday challenges children have to deal with at school and elsewhere. And the added benefits of mountain biking?

• Your child will be exercising in the great outdoors and getting lots of lovely fresh air too.
• Your child can cover impressive distances, which allows them to discover new things and explore new places.
• When they feel the wind in their hair, they'll feel an incredible sense of freedom and adventure. 

The combination of physical activity and exposure to nature will help your child to clear their head and escape from reality for a while. They can recover and rest but end up feeling the right sort of tired.

8. Mountain biking is good for the eyes

We're all guilty of spending too long staring at screens these days. If your child sits in front of a tablet or smartphone for hours on end each day, it won't be doing their eyes any good.

Katrin Kollegger has noticed that staring at screens up close and not getting enough natural light is causing more and more young people to have vision problems.

The general practitioner offers some advice here: 

Did you know? Vitamin D boosts your immune system. And your body can produce its own if your skin is exposed to enough sunlight.

9. Mountain biking improves physical awareness and reactions

Mountain biking builds focus and concentration. And a sense of balance, coordination and agility.

When they're out on their mountain bike, your child has to constantly look ahead and use their entire body. And, of course, they have to be ready to react quickly so they can dodge obstacles and safely handle sudden descents.

These skills are critical in mountain biking but also in life: 

10. Mountain biking boosts self-esteem

Teenagers start to care more and more about their appearance and body image becomes a bigger issue. Sports like mountain biking can help your child feel positive about their growing body and comfortable in their own skin.

Young people who are active learn how to overcome their fears and acknowledge and even celebrate their little wins. Tackling that first flow trail or jumping over a root for the first time are important mountain biking milestones that will boost your child's confidence. Katrin Kollegger confirms: 

Katrin Kollegger works as a general practitioner and occupational therapist in Vienna. 

Regular activity and exercise are very important to her, and she tries to model this in her daily routine and in talks with her children.