Cycling Without Age: Assessing the Impact of a Cycling-Based Initiative on Mood and Wellbeing

Abstract

Objective: Cycling Without Age is a global initiative in which trained volunteers take adults living in care homes or supported housing environments out on specially designed trishaws. Despite its global success, there is limited research on the effect the initiative has on the older adults taking part. The current study therefore assessed changes in mood and wellbeing to determine whether there were short-term benefits of participation. Methods: Forty-nine older adults (69% female; 67–100 years old ( M = 84.1, SD = 7.6)) living in care homes and supported housing environments were recruited; 35 participants completed all measures and comprise the analytical sample. Participants completed the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale and UWIST Mood Adjective Checklist immediately before a ride (baseline); they repeated the measures on completion of the ride (follow-up). Participants also completed baseline and follow-up measures on a day in which they did not go on a ride. Mixed ANOVA compared differences in baseline and follow-up mood and wellbeing scores on ride and no ride days. Results: For all mood and wellbeing measures, there were significant interactions between day (ride or no ride) and measurement occasion (baseline or follow-up). Analyses revealed significant improvement in mood and wellbeing at follow-up on ride days versus no ride days. Conclusion: Short-term positive changes in mood and wellbeing were reported as a result of participation in the Cycling Without Age initiative for older adults in care home and supported living environments. Further research is needed to explore the longevity of benefits and longer-term changes.

Cycling Without Age: An Australian residential aged care home experience

“…Our resident participants reported feeling happy during the ride and feeling ‘better’ afterwards. Gray and Gow 8 presented similar findings such as positive facial expressions captured on video and immediate improvement in their participants' well‐being and mood measured postride. Enjoyment and engagement underpin meaningful activities 1 …”

“…Despite a global presence, there are few published evaluations. Gray and Gow, 8 Gow, Bell and Gray 9 and Gow, Bell and Bigger 10 evaluated CWA Falkirk, Scotland. Well‐being and mood were measured on a ‘ride day’ (pre‐ and post‐ ride) versus a ‘no ride day’; with higher well‐being and mood scores immediately after the ride and when post‐scores on the ‘no ride day’ and ‘ride day’ were compared 8 .…”

“…Gray and Gow, 8 Gow, Bell and Gray 9 and Gow, Bell and Bigger 10 evaluated CWA Falkirk, Scotland. Well‐being and mood were measured on a ‘ride day’ (pre‐ and post‐ ride) versus a ‘no ride day’; with higher well‐being and mood scores immediately after the ride and when post‐scores on the ‘no ride day’ and ‘ride day’ were compared 8 . Analyses of video recordings from 12 rides showed mostly positive expressions (happiness, interest and amusement) and engagement with the surroundings and other people 9 .…”

When Movement Moves: Study Protocol for a Multi-Method Pre/Post Evaluation Study of Two Programmes; the Danish Team Twin and Cycling Without Age

“…To guide the design of our study, a programme theory, inspired by Funnel et al’s approach [ 48 ], was developed ( Figure 2 below). The assumptions presented in the theory are based primarily on desk research [ 41 , 42 ], evidence from literature reviews [ 24 , 25 ], minor pilot studies of the programmes [ 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 49 ], theories of change, and stakeholder workshops. The programme theory aims to visualise the assumed causal chain and hypotheses of how any expected change occurs as a result of programme participation and covers expected outcomes for all six (three in each programme) target groups.…”

“…The few studies available have low external (i.e., generalisability) validity [ 27 , 33 ]. Pilot studies investigating indirect PA (defined as an activity where a person unable to partake in physical activity on their own, is joined by someone who is able, and together partake in PA) in the disabled [ 34 ] and elderly [ 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 ] populations exist, however, and these report promising effects of indirect PA on all health outcomes and QoL.…”