Abstract
Background: Learning to cycle is an important milestone in a child’s life, so it is important to allow them to explore cycling as soon as possible. The use of a bicycle with training wheels (BTW) for learning to cycling is an old approach practiced worldwide. Most recently, a new approach using the balance bike (BB) has received increased attention, and several entities believe that this could be most efficient. Drawing on the work of Bronfenbrenner (1995) and Newel (1986), this study aimed to analyse the effect of BB’s use on the learning process of cycling independently. Methods: Data were collected in Portugal from an online structured survey between November 2019 and June 2020. Results: A total of 2005 responses were obtained for adults and children (parental response). Results revealed that when the BB’s approach was used, learning age (LA) occurred earlier (M = 4.16 ± 1.34 years) than with the BTW’s approach (M = 5.97 ± 2.16 years) (p < 0.001); or than when there was only the single use of the traditional bicycle (M =7.27 ± 3.74 years) (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Children who used the BB as the first bike had a significantly lower LA than children who did not use it (p < 0.001). To maximize its effects, the BB should be used in the beginning of the learning process.
Highlights
IntroductionWith the cultural evolution of our species, the bicycle was invented as a transport vehicle, being more efficient, economic and less tiresome than our natural modes of locomotion [1]
Humans have different natural modes of locomotion, such as walking and running.With the cultural evolution of our species, the bicycle was invented as a transport vehicle, being more efficient, economic and less tiresome than our natural modes of locomotion [1].Nowadays, this invention won a very important role in human life; it is used everywhere for transportation, exercise, sports competition, or for recreation [2,3]
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Summary
With the cultural evolution of our species, the bicycle was invented as a transport vehicle, being more efficient, economic and less tiresome than our natural modes of locomotion [1]. Nowadays, this invention won a very important role in human life; it is used everywhere for transportation, exercise, sports competition, or for recreation [2,3]. Cycling proved to be an activity that improves health It has a positive relationship with cardiorespiratory fitness in youths, cardiovascular fitness in adults, and a strong inverse relationship with all-cause mortality, cancer mortality and morbidity in middle-aged and elderly people [4]. There are social benefits, such as the development of relational and emotional skills, promoting fun play moments where children can interact with other people, and make new friendships [6,7]
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