Alain Belli, Marie Fanget
Introduction. In order to stimulate physical activity, more and more games and ergometers are installed in public parks and areas that are attended by wide population, including children, adults and elderly peoples. These ergometers are generally designed for children or adults, but very seldom for elderly people. The aim of this study was to design and test a cycle ergometer specifically adapted to elderly population.Methods. The tests were performed on 8 young adults (YA) (age 23 ± 2 years, height 1,80± 0,04 m, weight 71 ± 9 kg) and 7 older persons (OP) (age 64 ± 13 years, height 1,60± 0,07 m, weight 66 ± 16 kg). They were first asked to pedal four times 3 min i) on a reference laboratory ergometer (Monark 868) at 3 different power levels : 46, 76 and 106 Watts and ii) on a specific ergometer designed for elderly people. The heart rate (HR) and the oxygen consumption (VO2) were measured during the last minute of each power level.Results. As expected the HR and VO2 measured on reference ergometer were linearly related with power level in both YA and OP and there were no difference on absolute values of VO2 between YA and OP. It was then possible to estimate that both YA and OP produced 32 ± 5 Watts on the specific ergometer. This value correspond to a relative intensity of 22% and 32% of maximal theoretical VO2 in respectively YA and OP, and was equivalent of about three time basic metabolic level (3 METS) in both group.Discussion. According to the relative intensity the specific ergometer was very light and not adapted to YA but was well adapted to OP group, 32% intensity and 3 METS corresponding to light walking and no extra risks for OP population. The specific ergometer was then installed in a public park of the city of Saint Etienne and further questionnaire showed that OP field users were very satisfied of this new ergometer showing that the combination of design, physiological and technological approach could result in optimisation and safety of ergometer proposed in public areas for elderly people.
Aging; Healthy life; Aerobic capacity; Outdoors ergometers