AAG 500 blog

MARCH 2024

In the ‘AAG 500’ blog, we use about 500 words to highlight a problem, ask a question or take a stand on a particular topic of interest to our membership, stakeholders and current priorities. We invite AAG members to send us suggestions for topics, or to submit a blog for publication (email [email protected]).  

Racing into a healthy lifestyle: Evaluating a cycling competition in residential care

By AAG member Dr Ruth Brookman, Research Fellow and Clinical Psychologist1

and co-authors Zac Hulm2, Leigh Hearn3, Joyce Siette1, Nitish Mathew2, Saili Deodhar2, Angela Cass1, Jamilla Smith3, Belinda Kenny3, Karen P. Y. Liu 3,4 and Celia B. Harris1 from 1The MARCS Institute for Brain, Behaviour and Development, Western Sydney University; 2Harbison; 3School of Health Sciences, Western Sydney University; 4Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Whether we are children, new mums, or grandparents, we can probably all agree that participating in physical activity is good for our health. Yet how many of us find it difficult to get the exercise we need? Hitting our goal of those 10,000 steps a day, for example, can be difficult to achieve, and this can become increasingly challenging as we get older.

As a guideline, the Department of Health and Aged Care[1] recommends that older people engage in 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity per day. However, the transition into residential care is frequently associated with less physical activity. Further, residents in care are more likely to feel depressed, especially when 85 years or older and have less access to exercise. Research shows that people living in residential care spend 85% of their time in sedentary activities, and it can be challenging for residents to feel motivated to exercise.[2]

The Road Worlds Competition for seniors began in Norway in 2013. It is one example of an innovative exercise program that seeks to meet the challenge of safely increasing physical activity for older people in care. The international competition (there are prizes!), incorporates visual technology (1000+ videos of cycling tracks around the world) and social engagement (residents compete as individuals and facilities). Residents participate in the annual virtual cycling competition using an adaptive stationary bike (image: the Thera trainer by Motitech).

Together with our industry collaborator, Harbison, we aimed to evaluate not only the physical benefits of participating in the Road Worlds competition, but also the possible psychological and social benefits. We had 32 residents and six staff members participate across two sites.

The figure on the right shows the setup of the activity rooms for the competition.

First, we asked residents and staff about their experience of the Road Worlds Competition. What we found was that residents really enjoyed the activity but were motivated by different elements of the program. Some loved the competition (‘I like a challenge, I had none, [and then] I came third in Australia!’ P13).

Others loved the social element and competing as part of a team (‘I think the camaraderie ... they’re riding alongside their friends, but they're also competing against them ... spurring each other on’, P2 staff). For most, the visual scenery distracted them from the exercise and provided them with a “window” to another world (‘I liked the movies, seeing the mountains and the different countries in the world. I felt like I was really there’ P4).

Perhaps unsurprisingly, residents were observed to spontaneously reminisce about places they had previously visited.

Next, we used standardised measures before and after the competition which showed significant improvements across multiple wellbeing domains, including functional fitness, depression, self-efficacy, and social network sizes. In conclusion, creative ways of combining group exercise with a competition and visual technology can enhance wellbeing beyond the physical domain alone.

An important takeaway message: we are never too old to keep pedalling!

In 2022, Ruth received an RM Gibson grant through the AAG Research Trust, to investigate the effects of a multi-modal biking experience on wellbeing for people with and without dementia in residential aged care

References: [1] Department of Health and Aged Care. (2021). Physical activity and exercise guidelines for all Australians: For older Australians (65 years and over). [2] Parry S, Chow M, Batchelor F, Fary RE. Physical activity and sedentary behaviour in a residential aged care facility. Australas J Ageing [Internet]. 2019 Mar [cited 2023 Sep 18];38(1). Available from: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/ajag.12589. Image acknowledgement: Motiview. Thera Trainer Tigo 550 [Internet]. 2024 [cited 2024 Feb 22]. Available from: https://motiview.com/article/training-equipment-for-motiview

 This blog is also available as a pdf.