Physical activity when riding an electric assisted bicycle

Abstract

BackgroundThe objectives of the present study were to compare time spent cycling, exercise intensity, and time spent in moderate- (MPA) and vigorous intensity physical activity (VPA) when cycling on an E-bike and a conventional bicycle on two “cycling-to-work” routes with differences in topography, defined as a hilly and a flat route.MethodsEight adults (23–54 years, two women) cycled outdoors on a conventional bicycle and an E-bike, on a flat (8.2 km) and a hilly (7.1 km) route, resulting in 32 journeys. Duration, elevation, and oxygen consumption were recorded using a portable oxygen analyser with GPS. A maximal cardiorespiratory fitness test was performed on a cycle ergometer. Resting metabolic rate was obtained by indirect calorimetry with a canopy hood.ResultsThe participants spent less time (median (IQR)) cycling on the E-bike compared with the conventional bicycle, on both the hilly (18.8 (4.9) vs. 26.3 (6.4) minutes) and the flat (20.0 (2.9) vs. 23.8 (1.8) minutes) routes. Lower exercise intensity was observed with the E-bike compared with the conventional bicycle, both on the hilly (50 (18) vs. 60 (22) % of maximal oxygen uptake) and the flat (52 (19) vs. 55 (12) % of maximal oxygen uptake) routes. In both cycling modes, most time was spent in MVPA (92–99%). However, fewer minutes were spent in MVPA with the E-bike than the conventional bicycle, for both the hilly (26% lower) and the flat (17% lower) routes. Cycling on the E-bike also resulted in 35 and 15% fewer minutes in vigorous intensity, respectively on the hilly and flat routes.ConclusionCycling on the E-bike resulted in lower trip duration and exercise intensity, compared with the conventional bicycle. However, most of the time was spent in MVPA. This suggests that changing the commuting mode from car to E-bike will significantly increase levels of physical activity while commuting.

Electrical support during outdoor cycling in patients with coronary artery disease: impact on exercise intensity, volume and perception of effort

“…observed an exercise intensity reduction during electrical support [13]. Similar differences were found in other studies [16,17]. Contrary to these findings, we only found a significant exercise intensity reduction during EABhigh.…”

“…In healthy subjects, it has been found that cycling with both low and high electrical support reduces exercise intensity and/or volume, when compared to classical cycling [12][13][14][15][16][17][18], thus potentially leading to the risk of insufficient exercise intensities and volumes to improve cardiovascular health. The acute physiological impact of electrical support during outdoor cycling in CAD patients has not been studied before and thus deserves greater attention.…”

Potential of electric bicycles to improve the health of people with Type 2 diabetes: a feasibility study

“…Electric bicycles (e-bikes) provide graded assistance to the rider, helping to overcome such barriers, and are increasingly popular, particularly amongst middle-aged to older adults [12]. In healthy individuals, riding an e-bike has been shown to provide physical activity of at least moderate intensity [>3 metabolic equivalents (METs); heart rate >65%] and generate improvements in fitness and cardiometabolic risk factors [13][14][15]; however, to date, the acceptability/feasibility of 'ecycling' for people with Type 2 diabetes, or benefits to health are unknown.…”

Cycling on the edge: the effects of edge lines, slanted kerbstones, shoulder, and edge strips on cycling behaviour of cyclists older than 50 years

“…Electric bicycles have gained popularity because these allow people to cycle with less physical effort compared to conventional bicycles (Theurel, Theurel, and Lepers 2012;Berntsen et al 2017). Longer distances and ascending trajectories become easier to cycle and this makes it also useful for older cyclists or people with physical complaints (Dill and Rose 2012).…”