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The Older Cyclist: Anthropometric, Physiological, and Psychosocial Changes Observed During a Trans-Canada Cycle Tour

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 November 2010

Karen Mittleman ,
Susan Crawford ,
Stephen Holliday ,
Gloria Gutman  and
Gordon Bhakthan
Karen Mittleman
Affiliation:
School of Kinesiology, Simon Fraser University
Susan Crawford
Affiliation:
School of Kinesiology, Simon Fraser University
Stephen Holliday
Affiliation:
Gerontology Research Centre, Simon Fraser University
Gloria Gutman
Affiliation:
Gerontology Research Centre, Simon Fraser University
Gordon Bhakthan
Affiliation:
School of Kinesiology, Simon Fraser University
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Abstract

A group of Canadian senior citizens (n = 22) who bicycled 7700 km across Canada, from Victoria, B.C. to St. Johns, Newfoundland, over 100 days in the summer of 1983 were the subjects of this study. Each was tested on three occasions: 2 days prior to commencement of the tour, at the geographical mid-point of the tour and within 2 days of tour completion. Comprehensive anthropometric data were collected along with evaluation of fitness and blood chemistry on all three testing occasions. Participants were also asked a series of questions designed to ascertain positive and negative psycho-social experiences and to assess their anxiety level. Generally the cyclists reated well to the tour, exhibiting objective evidence of increased fitness in the absence of negative physical or psychological changes. Self-report data indicated that subjects generally enjoyed the tour, felt their endurance had increased, and perceived other improvements such as increased self-confidence, reduced anxiety, and improved appetite.

Résumé

Cette étude examine un groupe de canadiens du troisième âge (n = 22) qui ont mis, en 1983, 100 jours pour traverser le pays de Victoria, B.C. à St. Johns, Terre-Neuve en bicyclette, couvrant une distance totale de 7,700 km. Chaque personne a dȗ subir une série de trois examens: le premiere, deux jours avant le début de la tournée, le deuxième à mi-chemin, et finalement, le troisième à moins de deux jours suivant la fin de la tournée. Durant chaque examen, les chercheurs étaient chargés de recueillir des données anthropométriques détaillées, d'évaluer la condition physique et de procéder à des analyses sanguines. Les participants ont dȗ répondre à une série de questions conçues pour démontrer les expériences psycho-sociales positives et négatives et pour évaluer le niveau d'anxiété. En général, les cyclistes ont réagi favorablement à la tournée, faisant manifestement preuve d'une condition physique améliorée en l'absence de changements physiques ou psychologiques négatifs. Basé sur des notes personnelles, les sujets en général ont apprécié la tournée, ont constaté une endurance accrue et ont perçu d'autres bénéfices, dont une plus grande confiance personnelle, un niveau d'anxiété réduit et un appétit plus développé.

Keywords

seniorsfitnesscyclinganthropometrypsychosocial.
Type
Articles
Information
Canadian Journal on Aging / La Revue canadienne du vieillissement , Volume 8 , Issue 2 , Summer/été 1989 , pp. 144 - 156
Copyright
Copyright © Canadian Association on Gerontology 1989

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