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Innovative digital bike to encourage exercise
Bwrdd Iechyd Prifysgol Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board Bwrdd Iechyd Prifysgol Hywel Dda University Health Board
Bwrdd Iechyd Addysgu Powys Powys Teaching Health Board
Innovative digital bike to encourage exercise Iechyd Cyhoeddus Cymru Public Health Wales
Ymddiriedolaeth GIG Prifysgol Felindre Velindre University NHS Trust
About half of the physical decline Ymddiriedolaeth GIG Gwasanaethau Ambiwlans Cymru associated with ageing can be attributed to a lack of physical activity. Without regular exercise, people over the age Welsh Ambulance Services NHS TrustThe bike: l is easy to set up for the use, to store and to manoeuvre. of 50 can experience a range of health l is a cost-effective modification. problems including: reduced muscle mass, l can be adapted to the individual patient for the best clinical outcome. strength and physical endurance; reduced coordination and balance; reduced joint flexibility and mobility; and reduced cardiovascular and respiratory function. These problems increase blood pressure, which in turn can increase the risk of older adults developing cardiovascular disease, stroke and other medical problems. However, it can be a significant challenge to motivate older adults to improve their physical wellbeing through exercise. Rakesh Kumar, Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist at Ysbyty Gwynedd, Bangor, came up with an idea for a device that uses digital technology to incentivise and encourage older patients to do physical exercise, thereby helping them to improve their muscle strength and their balance. The self-encouraging digital bike allows a user to pedal with both their hands and feet, and is linked to a visual screen powered by Google Maps. The user can travel around any destinations they choose, from their own familiar area to a city they’ve always wanted to visit. Each cycle of the pedalling activates the ‘enter’ button of the computer/laptop/ smart phone to move the view of Google Street View, or the recorded video, which encourages the user to push more in order to see more. This self-encouraging equipment motivates the user to push more and thus do more physical exercise. The same technology could also be applied to a treadmill. Rakesh Kumar has secured a grant to take this project to the next level with support from AgorIP.
