Citation

Zeuwts L, Vansteenkiste P, Cardon G, Lenoir M. Traffic Injury Prev. 2016; 17(7): 736-742.

Affiliation

Ghent University , Department of Movement and Sports Sciences , Watersportlaan 2, 9000 Ghent , Belgium.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2016, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/15389588.2016.1143553

PMID

26889690

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Cycling is a complex skill consisting of motor skills such as pedalling, braking and steering. As the ability to perform cycling skills is based on the age-related development of the child, experience and age related reference values are of interest in light of customized testing and training.

METHODS: 138 children from the 2(nd) (7-8 year), 4(th) (9-10 year) and 6(th) (11-12 year) grade performed a practical bicycle test consisting of thirteen test items with specific points of interest. Moreover, age at onset of cycling, cycling to and from school, independent mobility and minutes cycling per week were estimated using a parental questionnaire.

RESULTS: It is found that cycling skills are strongly related to age with 11-12 year old children outperforming 7-8 year old children for 11 test items and 9-10 year old children for 8 test items.

CONCLUSIONS: Next to age, age at onset of cycling also contributed to cycling skills. Therefore our results suggest cycling skills to be associated with physical and mental maturation. Subsequently age related reference values are provided to customize testing and training.

Keywords: SR2S

Language: en