Source: The Cool Down

Research from the University of Reading and Oxford Brookes University has revealed unexpected benefits of e-bike riding for older adults, citing surprising improvements to executive function compared to traditional cycling.

Outdoor stimulation and physical activity are known to help combat and prevent age-related cognitive decline, with cycling a popular choice for adults of varying ages worldwide. To test the psychological and cognitive benefits of outdoor cycling, a team of researchers from the UK measured the cognitive function and mental health among 100 adults aged 50 to 83, none of whom were regular bike riders. One group was instructed to ride a conventional bike three times a week for at least 30 minutes per outing for eight weeks. The second group was given the same assignment, only they were outfitted with e-bikes to ride. A third control group did not ride at all in the two-month study period.

How did the study work?

The study, published in PLOS One, found that cyclists between the ages of 50 and 83 experienced both cognitive and mental health benefits from riding a bicycle, whether electrically assisted or traditionally pedal-powered. At the end of the study, both bike-riding groups enjoyed significant improvements in executive function, which is the ability to plan, organize, and complete tasks. Interestingly, though the researchers had anticipated that the riders on the standard bikes would improve the most because they would be working harder and, therefore, getting more exercise, that wasn’t the case.

What were the results?

Not only did the e-bike riders score as well as the regular bike riders in the follow-up cognitive tests, but the motor-assisted pedallers also performed a little better in processing speed and enjoyed a more improved sense of well-being than the other two groups.

“We had thought that those who used traditional, pedal-only powered bikes would have the greatest brain and mental health boost, as they would be giving their cardiovascular systems the biggest workout,” said University of Reading professor of psychology Carien Van Reekum, Ph.D., in a press release on the project. “Instead, people who used e-bikes told us that they felt more confident in completing the requested activity of three 30-minute rides a week for eight weeks, compared to pedal bikers.”

These results suggest that the additional benefits that e-bikes provide to older users have an effect beyond increasing physical activity. Researchers theorise that electric bikes allow older adults to explore their local area and reap the benefits of being in a natural environment without overexerting themselves. It could be argued that aging individuals may find it challenging to engage in safe physical activity; however, low-impact cycling with powered-assisted support would give them the energy and confidence to exercise in a safe and stress-free way. Despite the lower intensity and heart rate associated with e-bike riding, it is the quality of being outside in nature that is highly beneficial to seniors.

The results of this study also benefit those recovering from common surgeries, such as those of the knee, hip, or shoulder. Regular cyclists may consider switching to an e-bike for the duration of their recovery to maintain their routine and enjoy both the mental and physical benefits of outdoor cycling without compromising their recovery process.