Report by: Motunrayo Year 9
Virtual Cycling Drawbacks
There is a danger that some cyclists may push themselves beyond
Virtual cycling is a growing fitness trend which is proving to be the best their own safe physical limits and experience an adverse reaction such
development in cycling for many years. It has created a new way in as injury, nausea or fainting. Dehydration can also occur if cycling
which the sport can be enjoyed by everyone and participation has indoors without sufficient intake of fluids and adequate air flow for
nearly tripled since 2019. Much of this interest has been driven by cooling. These are all potential dangers if cycling at home without
technology which tracks performance and provides instant feedback to supervision or support. Data security is another issue as app users
motivate the cyclist. provide large amounts of data which are at risk from hacking.
Virtual cycling, along with social media, has increased interest in the
sport of cycling. New online platforms enable cyclists to play games,
train, race and socialise with people around the world, all from the Cheating has become an issue in
comfort of their home. In recent surveys, virtual cycling ranked in the virtual cycling races as prize money
top 6 worldwide fitness trends. has increased the incentive to do
well. During competitions online
Benefits platforms log the data from riders
via power meters. Some
Cycling is an excellent form of exercise and a highly effective way to competitors have edited their
burn fat, improve fitness and tone muscle. Virtual cycling enables power data logs to show a
nervous and inexperienced cyclists to participate in simulated races in substantial increase in power over
large groups without fear of accidents. They will also not have to deal the course of a race. These unrealistic data logs have been identified
with the potentially intimidating experience of traveling to an outdoor as suspicious by automated control systems. Other suspect activities
event and negotiating the start of a mass participation event. have been the use of drugs to enhance performance, recording
Another major benefit is safety. When riding indoors on a stationary incorrect weight information and male riders competing in female
bike there is no traffic, dangerous roads or weather to contend with. races to earn points. Cheating is a serious issue and a difficult one to
Heavy traffic, darkness and bad weather are often barriers to engaging control when riders are competing remotely.
in cycling. Environmental factors such as extreme temperatures and
air pollution can also be more easily controlled indoors.ch Equipment
For competing athletes this technology can replace the need to travel Online training platforms monitor power, speed, pace and heart rate
to different locations to compete at major competitions. This saves using sensors on a bicycle set up as a static trainer. A smart phone,
travelling time and costs. Coaching staff can assist athletes remotely tablet, computer or Smart TV are required to run the player, along with
regardless of their location and the time zones involved. This greater a monthly subscription to a training app. The most popular types of
flexibility means athletes can train and compete in a greater variety of trainers are classic turbo trainers, smart trainers, free-standing rollers
settings than would otherwise be possible. or specially designed static indoor bicycles. All devices allow pedalling
whilst stationary. The pedals turn as normal but the energy that would
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Report by: Motunrayo Year 9
usually be used to push forwards is transferred into the trainer itself. Global Cycle App Growth
Turbo trainers are the most popular and work with any bike. They vary Region Daily Usage Download Growth
in their level of technology and the top ones are expensive. The
minimum requirement is a basic turbo trainer which clamps onto the Asia Pacific 23% 45%
rear bicycle wheel. Smart bikes are dedicated to indoor cycling but are
very expensive. Europe 10% 23%
Smart turbo trainers use Bluetooth technology to interact with a virtual India 72% 137%
cycling sports app. The top trainers are direct-drive which involves Middle East and 26% 52%
removing the rear wheel of a standard bicycle and attaching the bicycle North Africa
chain directly to the trainer. These offer a more realistic feel and are
capable of simulating conditions such as hill climbs, drafting and Rest of the World 22% 40%
changes in the road surface. They also record a wealth of performance Data is collected from the trainer and processed by the app. The effort
data. Some virtual training platforms utilise wearable technology such the rider puts in is measured and the resistance is adjusted to simulate
as virtual reality (VR) headsets. These fully immerse the user in the cycling in the real world. The rider controls an avatar whilst watching
virtual environment. the game running on a computer screen. They must pedal hard to
make their avatar move faster to beat the competition. New routes and
Virtual Cycling Apps training environments are being developed continuously.
Virtual cycling applications have become very popular. They enable Nothing can beat cycling outside in a social environment surrounded
cyclists to connect and ride together through virtual worlds. The by nature and the elements. It is an invigorating and healthy
gaming nature of the app has the ability to motivate users and distract experience and has many physical, mental and social benefits. It can
them from the boredom and suffering of a hard indoor workout. This have a calming effect and alleviate feelings of depression and anxiety.
can result in more prolonged or intense cycling. Successful Virtual cycling is set to complement outdoor cycling but not replace it.
performance is often rewarded with points or special currency that can Time on a turbo trainer paired with a gaming experience is an ideal
be used to make purchases such as better bike frames. Common video alternative when time is limited or the weather prevents riding outside.
game features such as power-ups to improve performance for a short
period are also available. Cycling app downloads and daily usage has
increased dramatically in recent years. The largest growth of
downloads and daily usage has been seen in India.
