[Cycling, fitness and the prevention of ischemic heart disease]

A short review of the prevalence of ischaemic heart disease in South African Whites is given, and primary prevention, which entails an alteration in life style, is emphasised. The role of increased physical activity in primary prevention is discussed. Any programme to increase the fitness status of a population based on activities that must be performed outside the daily routine, willhave limited impact. The possible role of cycling is discussed and it is shown that ordinary cycling to work probably causes sufficient stimulation of the cardiovascular system to produce an acceptable standard of physical fitness.