Bicycle Network: Skill Up

Bikes and biofeedback research

13 December 2011. A new research group at RMIT University is looking to make exercise more fun and more effective by using technology to generate a sense of game and play—and they are looking for bike riders as research subjects.

The Exertion Games Lab is currently working on a research project that explores novel ways of combining cycling and biofeedback (biofeedback = the measurement & display of bodily signals like heart rate).

They are looking for couples (partners, sport fellows or friends, as long as you are comfortable cycling and being interviewed together in this study), both of whom either:

(a) regularly cycle outdoors for fitness training or
(b) regularly ride a bicycle (e.g. commuting) and are regularly engaged in physical exercise.

The study will take about an hour of your time (excluding traveling time) and will take place in Royal Park (situated about 2.5km north-west of the CBD).

The test as a whole will be equal to a 15-20 minutes light-to-moderate workout and you will be able to determine your own exercising effort.

The researchers reckon this is an great opportunity to experience a new & exciting sporting activity and at the same time contribute to frontline research on sports & technology.

You will get a digital copy of our research paper once it has been published and during the test they will provide adequate drinks and energy bars.

Participation is voluntary and does not include financial compensation.

If you are interested to participate in our study email wouter(at)walmink.com including both your names, email addresses and phone numbers.

The researchers will contact you a.s.a.p. to set a date and time for the study that suits you both.

You will get a "Participant Information Sheet" for you to read, to make sure you are happy with the conditions of the study before you partake.