Abstract
BackgroundCycling has positive effects on health and the proportion of older cyclists is rising. However, the risk for older adults to be injured or killed by a bicycle accident increases. The aim of the ongoing project “Safer Cycling in Older Age (SiFAr)” is to promote safer cycling in community-dwelling older adults with a structured, multi-component exercise training.MethodsSiFAr is a randomized, controlled trial with a duration of 3 months for the intervention and a 6–9 months follow-up. We address community-dwelling persons aged 65 years and older living in the area Nürnberg-Fürth-Erlangen (Germany) who are either 1) beginners with the e-bike or 2) feeling self-reported unsteadiness when cycling or 3) uptaking cycling after a longer break. Long-term, experienced cyclists without subjectively reported limitations or worries when cycling are excluded. Participants are either randomized 1:1 to an intervention group (IG; receiving multi-component exercise program related to cycling, MEPC) or an active control group (aCG; receiving health and bicycle-related presentations, HRP). The purpose of this study is to investigate if the cycling competence of the IG will improve compared to the aCG. The cycling competence as primary outcome is tested not blinded in a standardized cycle course prior and after the intervention period, which consists of variant tasks requiring motor and cognitive skills related to traffic situations in daily life. Additional assessments such as physical functioning, quality of life, fear of falling, questionnaires regarding cycling behavior are obtained.To investigate the primary objective, regression analyses with difference of errors in the cycling course as independent variable and group as dichotomous dependent variable adjusted for covariates (sex, bicycle type) will be performed.The trial design is described in the present manuscript, using the extended CONSORT checklist for reporting pragmatic trials.DiscussionSince there is a lack of cycling-related interventions for older people, SiFAr aims to evaluate a standardized intervention to enhance cycling safety. The results of the SiFAr trial could contribute to the implementation of an evaluated cycling course concept promoting mobility and independence of older adults.Trial registrationThis study was registered with clinicaltrials.gov: NCT04362514 on April 27, 2020
Highlights
Cycling has positive effects on health and the proportion of older cyclists is rising
- balance exercises and strength exercises - consolidation of previous session: getting on and off the bicycle at marked position or on command - exercises for precise braking from different speeds - teaching of braking techniques and environmental influences on braking distance
- balance and strength exercises - consolidation of previous session: braking/getting of the bicycle to various commands, discussing the effects of divided attention - teaching and practicing of curve techniques
Summary
Cycling has positive effects on health and the proportion of older cyclists is rising. Mobility is often at risk by decreasing physical and cognitive capacities as well as functional impairments. Regular physical activity is a key factor for counteracting age-related decline of physical and cognitive functions. Environmentally friendly and convenient form of physical activity that is associated with health and functional benefits, even for older adults with chronic conditions [1, 2]. Several studies showed a positive effect of cycling on cardiovascular health, quality of life [3], fear of falling [4], functional and cognitive status and metabolic responses in middle-aged and older persons [2, 5]. A recent systematic review including observatory and experimental studies suggests with moderate evidence that even a regular use of E-Bikes promotes cardiorespiratory fitness [9]
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