Senior Health Takes Spin on New Technology
Residents at Windsor Park retirement community can now use a virtual world to get real world results when it comes to healthy aging. This summer, residents welcomed a CyberCycle, an interactive recumbent bike that uses virtual environments, video game features, group rides and the spirit of healthy competition to motivate riders to improve physical and cognitive health.
Riders can choose from more than 40 trails offering varying degrees of difficulty. By steering, shifting gears, and adjusting their pedaling speed, they can maneuver through trails of Redwood trees, around groups of other riders, and even dodge critters that jump in front of the path that is viewed on a 26.5-inch HD touch screen monitor.
This form of virtual reality-enhanced exercise, also called "exergames," is gaining traction at senior living communities and senior centers. Studies show that combining physical exercise with computer-simulated environments and interactive video game features can yield greater cognitive benefits than traditional exercise alone for older adults, according to the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.
"Falling and losing their memory are among the top fears of this population," said Fitness Director Mary Lou Bellefleur. "This combination of exercise helps improve cognition and strengthen their leg muscles."
Not to mention, riding a CyberCycle is a lot of fun, said Bellefleur. One of the CyberCycle users, who was born in 1925, said he uses the same strategy to compete against riders today as he used when he was a kid competing on the track team. "That competitive spirit never dies," said Bellefleur.
Residents can ride individually or as part of the Windsor Park CyberCycle team, which competes in the CyberCycle league against more than 50 senior centers and retirement communities nationwide.
Time on the CyberCycle is tracked electronically and residents who sign up with personal ID numbers can sign in via the CyberCycle website to view individual, real-time results, including the number of miles pedaled, the number of calories burned, and the average power and heart rate. Riders can also view other team results.
About the CyberCycle
The CyberCycle uses a 26.5-inch HD touch screen monitor to immerse users in a virtual race and challenge them to steer through the three-dimensional scenery. Developed by Interactive Fitness, the virtual bike is designed to keep both the body and the mind stimulated and in good shape. Visit the https://cybercycle.com for more information.
About Windsor Park
Windsor Park, a faith-based, not-for-profit, continuing care retirement community, is located at 124 Windsor Park Dr., Carol Stream, Ill. It is administered by Covenant Retirement Communities (CRC), the nation's sixth largest, not-for-profit senior services provider. CRC serves 5,000 residents at 15 retirement communities nationwide and is a ministry of the Evangelical Covenant Church. For more information on Windsor Park, call 877-836-5664 or visit www.WindsorParkIllinois.org.