RecruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

Transfer Effects of Stationary Bicycle Perturbation Training on Older Adults' Cycling Skills

This study is testing a special stationary exercise bike that gently challenges your balance while you pedal. It's called the Perturbation Stationary Bicycle Robotics (PerStBiRo) system. Researchers want to see if doing 20 short training sessions (20 minutes each) on this bike can help older adults (aged 65 and over) cycle more safely in everyday situations. We know cycling is great exercise, but accidents can happen, especially as we get older and our balance might not be as good. The study will compare training on the PerStBiRo system with balance challenges against training on the same system without challenges. Before and after the training, participants will complete a cycling course to see if their skills have improved. This aims to find a safe way to improve cycling ability and reduce accident risk for older adults.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

University of Erlangen-Nürnberg Medical School

Enrolment target

127

Start

12 Mar 2025

Estimated completion

31 Mar 2027

Older Adults Exercise Training Bicycling

What is this study about?

This study is looking into new ways to help older adults stay active and safe while cycling. As people get older, their balance can sometimes become a bit less steady, which can make cycling feel riskier. Cycling is fantastic for health, but there's a need to find safe ways for older adults to improve their cycling skills and reduce their risk of falls or accidents.

Researchers have developed a special type of stationary exercise bike called the PerStBiRo system. What makes this bike unique is that it can gently and safely challenge your balance while you're sitting and pedalling. Imagine the bike giving you very small, unexpected wobbles – these are called 'perturbations'. The idea is that by repeatedly experiencing these controlled wobbles during exercise, your body learns to react better and improve its balance.

The main goal of this study is to see if training on this special 'wobbly' bike actually makes a difference to how safely older adults can cycle in real life. Participants will do 20 training sessions, each lasting 20 minutes. Before and after these sessions, their cycling skills will be tested on a special course that includes various real-life cycling tasks. The study will compare people who train with the balance challenges against those who train on the bike without the challenges, to understand exactly what effect the balance training has. This could lead to better training methods to keep older adults cycling confidently and safely.

Key takeaways

Study examines if special stationary bike training can improve real-world cycling safety.
Ages 65 and over, with some cycling skill challenges, are invited.
Involves 20 short training sessions over roughly three months.
No new medications are involved, just exercise on a unique bike.
Aims to enhance balance and reduce accident risk for older cyclists.

Who may be eligible?

To be part of this study, you need to be an older adult, aged 65 or over. You should be able to get to the testing locations and be willing to give your informed consent, meaning you understand the study and agree to take part. We're looking for people who had a few minor difficulties on a cycling skills test at the beginning of the study.

However, there are certain health conditions that mean this study might not be right for you. For example, if you have severe heart or lung conditions that limit your exercise, very weak bones (osteoporosis) that increase fracture risk, or very high blood pressure that isn't controlled, you wouldn't be able to join. Also, if you've had hip or knee replacement surgery, or a broken leg bone, within the last year, or if you've had a stroke in the last six months, you can't participate.

We also need participants to be able to walk by themselves and have good enough eyesight and hearing for the study. If you have any serious thinking or memory problems, or are already taking part in another clinical trial, this study might not be suitable. It’s important to discuss any health concerns with the study team to see if you can safely participate.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you 65 years old or older?
Can you travel to a study location for training sessions?
Do you feel you could benefit from improving your cycling safety?
Do you walk by yourself without assistance?
Do you have good enough eyesight and hearing to follow instructions?
Are you able to understand and agree to the study process?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part, you'll first be assessed to see if you're suitable. Once accepted, you'll be randomly assigned to one of two groups: either training on the special stationary bike with balance challenges, or training on the same bike without the challenges. For both groups, you will come to a study location for 20 training sessions, each lasting about 20 minutes. These sessions will be spread out over a period of about three months. Before starting the training and again after the three-month training period, you will complete a set of cycling tasks on a special course to test your skills. This study doesn't involve new medications. The total duration of your active participation, including assessments and training, will be approximately three months.

Potential risks and benefits

Potential benefits of taking part could include improved balance and cycling skills, which might help you feel more confident and safe while cycling. You would also be contributing to important research that could help many other older adults in the future. As with any exercise, there's always a very small risk of muscle soreness or minor injury, but the training facility is designed to be safe and controlled. The balance challenges are gentle and carefully monitored. There are no known risks from the stationary bike itself. You are free to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your medical care.

Locations (2)

Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Institut für Biomedizin des Alterns
Verified postcode
Nuremberg, Germany· Recruiting
Physical Therapy department, faculty of health sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev
Verified postcode
Beersheba, Israel· Recruiting

Common questions

What is the 'wobbly' bike like?

It's a stationary exercise bike that has a special system to create small, controlled balance challenges or 'wobbles' while you're pedalling, to help improve your balance safely.

How long will the study training last?

You will have 20 training sessions, each about 20 minutes long, spread out over roughly three months. There will also be assessments before and after the training.

Do I need to be a skilled cyclist to join?

No, you don't need to be a highly skilled cyclist. In fact, if you showed a few minor difficulties on an initial cycling test, you might be a good fit for the study.

Will I have to take any new medicines?

No, this study is about exercise training on a special bike and does not involve any new medicines.

What if I feel unwell during the training?

The training is supervised, and you can stop at any time if you feel unwell or uncomfortable. Your safety is the priority.

How to find out more

Robert Kob, PhD

robert.kob@fau.de +49 911 530296624 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.