Renowned doctor prescribes cycling to maintain good health in old age
Praise for cycling as a way of staying healthy has come from a doctor in Abu Dhabi who, at 81 years of age, cycles 40 kilometres twice a week.
Dr Essam El Shammaa, one of the UAE’s most decorated medical professionals, said keeping active greatly reduced the risks of high blood pressure and diabetes.
“When people ask me what can they do to improve their health, the answer is always sports, sports, sports,” he said.
“People say I don’t look like I am 81 years old, but I am. The reason I am so healthy is because I cycle 40 kilometres twice a week and go to the gym as well.
“If you are regularly active with sport then you won’t have to retire in your sixties, you will have the energy and drive to keep working regularly until well into your mid-seventies.”
Dr El Shammaa moved to Abu Dhabi from Britain in the 1970s and was responsible for the introduction of ultrasound technology at UAE hospitals.
This year, he was named a winner in the Abu Dhabi Awards, which celebrate the achievements of those who have dedicated their lives to helping others in the capital.
He also dismissed the suggestion that people do not always have the time to exercise.
“People say, ‘Doctor, I don’t have the time,’ but the truth is you need to make the time,” he said.
“If you are active and healthy by using sport to be in control of your life, then you can do much more physically when you are older.
“Doing sports or a physical activity will help your blood pressure go down and control your diabetes.”
The imaging department at Corniche Hospital in Abu Dhabi was named after Dr El Shammaa in honour of his contribution to the health sector in the UAE.
He is widely regarded as one of the leaders in the field of medical imaging, and in April he was presented with the Abu Dhabi Award by Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces.
“Dr El Shammaa is admired for sharing his vast medical experience with his healthcare colleagues and serving as a valued source of knowledge in the field of obstetrics and gynaecology,” the judging panel said at the time.
Dr El Shammaa has strong views about the coronavirus pandemic.
He urged caution when it came to the relaxing of regulations enforced to help curb the spread of the virus.
“We are all suffering because we are used to a different way of life,” he said.
“Children have been hit particularly hard. They are not communicating physically with each other as many are isolated and learning remotely.
“We have to take a serious look at what lessons we have learnt and how to take them on board.”
Dr El Shammaa praised the UAE for its handling of the pandemic, especially in comparison with other nations.
“We dealt with it in a miraculous way. The vaccination rate is very high and the death rate is low,” he said.
Dr El Shammaa also criticised the UK government’s decision to remove coronavirus restrictions this month.
“I understand why they took this step because you should not forget about the economy,” he said.
“But as a physician I must be cautious. You have to balance looking after the economy with the measurements to keep people safe.
“I couldn’t believe what I was watching on television at Wimbledon [in London] for the tennis.
“There was no social distancing or people wearing masks in the stands. It will be interesting to see if there is an increase in cases or not as a result.”
We have to take a serious look at what lessons we have learnt and how to take them on board ESSAM EL SHAMMAA Doctor and cyclist