NCT04362514

Safer Cycling In Older Age

"Safer Cycling In Older Age" - a Multi-component Exercise Intervention in Community-dwelling, Older Adults.

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 127 (actual)
• Sponsor: University of Erlangen-Nürnberg Medical School · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 65 Years – 100 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

The aim of the SiFAr-project is to increase safe cycling in community-dwelling older adults (age 65 years and older) with a structured, multi-component exercise cycling training. The progressive exercise program encompasses training of motor competence and cognitive functions. The ability to cycle safely will be tested prior and after the training period using a cycling course, which consists of variant tasks requiring motor and cognitive skills.

Detailed description

Cycling is a form of physical activity that is positively associated with health and functional benefits. In Germany, the use of bicycles, especially of those with motorized assistance (e-bikes), is steadily increasing among older adults. Despite the benefits mentioned, cycling also poses potential health risks. For instance, there is a significant association between increased bicycle use and bicycle crashes. This relationship is particularly evident in older adults with a higher prevalence of bicycle crashes leading to minor and serious injuries. This might be explained by the age-related decline of physical and cognitive function, which may essentially affect (reduce) the ability to cycle safely. In order to prevent crashes and falls from bicycles, targeted training of the required skills for safe cycling could be effective. However, there is a lack of scientifically evaluated bicycle-training concepts that have been developed specifically for older adults. By developing and providing a structured and progressive multi-component exercise program related to cycling for older adults, the SiFAr-project will address the improvement of bicycle-related basic motor competence (e.g. balance, strength, ability to react, cycling skills and techniques) and the reduction of stress and fall-related psychological concerns. The ability to ride a bike safely will be measured in both arms before and after the training period by completing various tasks in a cycling course. The aim of the program is that the participation in the three-month exercise intervention program will lead to a reduction of failures in the bicycle course. As comparative values, the number of faults in the bicycle course before the training period and the number of faults in the control group will be used. Furthermore, a substudy aim to investigate stress biomarkers targeting inflammatory and stress associated physiological parameters during cycling. The activity of stress systems will be determined by measuring stress hormones like cortisol and inflammatory responses in the body by measuring C-reactive protein. To analyse biomarkers, saliva, hair and blood specimen will be collected.

Conditions

• Older Adults
• Community-dwelling
• Cycling Competence

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	MEPC - Multi-component exercise program related to cycling	Structured and progressive multicomponent exercise program with and without bikes. Training period will last over 3 months with 8 sessions à 60 minutes. Training sessions will address motor competence (balance, strength, cycling skills and techniques) and cognitive skills required during cycling. Furthermore, fall-related psychological concerns will be addressed.
OTHER	HRP - health-related presentations	HRP include 3 presentations on healthy aging (one per month) with a duration of 60 minutes

Timeline

• Start date: 2020-06-01
• Primary completion: 2022-11-01
• Completion: 2022-12-05
• First posted: 2020-04-27
• Last updated: 2024-12-06

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Germany