Cycling down memory lane

Can you imagine the memories flooding back when you’re cycling down your childhood street or on a family bike ride on one of your favourite holidays? Researchers at Swansea University are hoping to investigate, not only the physical but the cognitive benefits of cycling with their latest research project, BikeAround.

Lead researchers, Melitta McNarry, Kelly Mackintosh and Andrea Tales are using the latest technology to investigate the impact of memory cycling in care homes across Wales.

Participants will cycle on a stationary bike with a virtual reality dome projecting images from Google maps of familiar places and childhood haunts. Baseline health checks including heart rate and the sit-to-stand test will be conducted along with a series of survey questions to those who used the bike regularly compared to those who didn’t, to find out the overall impact on health.

ENRICH Cymru is looking for interested care homes to help with this research which could improve lives of older people across Wales.

Professor Kelly Mackintosh, who specialises in physical health using technology, said: “This concept was something I initially heard about from Professor Ralph Maddison who specialises in Physical Activity and Disease Prevention in Australia and it tied in very closely with our work in Swansea University. We’re delighted to be collaborating with him on it.

“We’re looking for care homes to help us with this research. We hope to have two bikes which we will place over four care homes for around eight weeks over an 18-month period, starting in January 2022.

“Residents with cognitive impairments aren’t eligible at this stage, but we’re hoping to develop the study in the future.

“We’d like to hear from approximately 10 residents including those using the bike regularly, those who don’t get on with it, as well as social care practitioners, about the experience. Knowing how people use it and their experiences is critical for knowing whether this concept is feasible to improve health and wellbeing.”

Professor Melitta who specialises in cardiorespiratory fitness said: “Quality of life is often forgotten and there’s a stereotype that older people don’t like using technology but that’s not the case.

“We know exercise has a whole host of benefits for brain function but coupling that with the memories will be something really interesting. We are looking forward to starting the study and can’t wait to see the study in practice.”

Stephanie Green, ENRICH Cymru coordinator said: “After the challenges of the past 18 months the BikeAround study sounds like a breath of fresh air, to bring some fun back into the care homes.

“This study sounds perfect for both research-ready care homes along with care homes who’ve never been part of research before. We anticipate this will be extremely popular with care homes across Wales so I would encourage care homes to get in touch as soon as possible.”

For further information please contact ENRICH Cymru or Melitta McNarry.