Citation

De La Iglesia DH, De Paz JF, Villarrubia González G, Barriuso AL, Bajo J, Corchado JM. Sensors (Basel) 2018; 18(1): s18010220.

Affiliation

Computer and Automation Department, University of Salamanca, 37002 Salamanca, Spain. corchado@usal.es.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, MDPI: Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute)

DOI

10.3390/s18010220

PMID

29342900

Abstract

Nowadays, many citizens have busy days that make finding time for physical activity difficult. Thus, it is important to provide citizens with tools that allow them to introduce physical activity into their lives as part of the day's routine. This article proposes an app for an electric pedal-assist-system (PAS) bicycle that increases the pedaling intensity so the bicyclist can achieve higher and higher levels of physical activity. The app includes personalized assist levels that have been adapted to the user's strength/ability and a profile of the route, segmented according to its slopes. Additionally, a social component motivates interaction and competition between users based on a scoring system that shows the level of their performances. To test the training module, a case study in three different European countries lasted four months and included nine people who traveled 551 routes. The electric PAS bicycle with the app that increases intensity of physical activity shows promise for increasing levels of physical activity as a regular part of the day.

Language: en

Keywords

coaching; electric bicycles; personalized assistance level; physical activity