Reduce Stress and Ride a Harley-Davidson®
Motorcyclists have long championed riding a Harley-Davidson® motorcycle as their main road to stress relief and positive mental health. Today, the results of a neurobiological study have yielded pioneering scientific evidence stating that they are right. The study found that motorcycling increased metrics of focus and attention, and decreased relative levels of cortisol, a hormonal marker of stress. This is huge!
Researchers recorded participants’ brain activity and hormone levels. The results were impressive. Riding a motorcycle decreased hormonal biomarkers of stress by 28%. On average, riding for 20 minutes increased heart rates by 11% and adrenaline levels by 27% – similar to light exercise.
Sensory focus was enhanced on a motorcycle vs driving a car. The changes in study participants’ brain activity suggested an increase in alertness. Like drinking a cup of coffee.
“While scientists have long-studied the relationship of brain and hormone responses to attention and stress, doing so in real-life conditions such as these is rare,” explained UCLA Professor and senior team member, Dr. Mark Cohen. “No lab experiment can duplicate the feelings that a motorcyclist would have on the open road.”
“The differences in participants’ neurological and physiological responses between riding and other measured activities were quite pronounced,” continued Dr. Vaughn. “This could be significant for mitigating everyday stresses.” Find your freedom and vitality on a Harley-Davidson® today.
Learn More About the Harley-Davidson® Study Here.
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