Citation

Boris G, Joris W, Katia I, Chantal D, Gérald G. Med. Sci. Sports Exerc. 2014; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Affiliation

1 Sports Medicine Unit, University Hospital Center and University of Lausanne, SWITZERLAND. 2 School of Medicine, University of Lausanne, SWITZERLAND. 3 Clinical Epidemiology Center, University Hospital Lausanne, SWITZERLAND.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2014, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins)

DOI

10.1249/MSS.0b013e31821cbdc8

PMID

21502900

Abstract

Electrically assisted bicycles (EAB) are an emerging transportation modality favoured for environmental reasons. Some physical effort is required to activate the supporting engine, making it a potential active commuting option. PURPOSE:: We hypothesized that using an EAB in a hilly city allows sedentary subjects to commute comfortably, while providing a sufficient effort for health-enhancing purposes. METHODS:: Sedentary subjects performed 4 different trips at selfselected pace: walking 1.7 km uphill from the train station to hospital (WALK), biking 5.1 km from lower part of town to hospital, with a regular bike (BIKE), or EAB at 2 different power assistance settings (EABhigh, EABstd). Heart rate, oxygen consumption and need to shower were recorded. RESULTS:: 18 sedentary subjects (12 female, 6 male) aged 36 ± 10 were included, V˙O2max 39.4 ± 5.4 mL·min·kg. Time to complete the course was 22 (WALK), 19 (EABhigh), 21 (EABstd) and 30 min (BIKE). Mean % V˙O2max was 59.0%, 54.9%, 65.7% and 72.8%. Mean %HRmax was 71.5%, 74.5%, 80.3% and 84.0%. No significant difference between WALK and EABhigh, but all other comparisons were different (p<0.05). 2 subjects needed to shower after EABhigh, 3 after WALK, 8 after EABstd and all 18 after BIKE. WALK and EABhigh elicited 6.5 and 6.1 MET (no difference), whereas it was 7.3 and 8.2 for EABstd and BIKE. CONCLUSIONS:: EAB is a comfortable and ecological transportation modality, helping sedentary people commute to work and meet physical activity guidelines. Subjects appreciated ease of use and mild effort needed to activate the engine support climbing hills, without the need to shower at work. EABs can be promoted in challenging urban environment to promote physical activity and mitigate pollution issues.

Language: en