Cybercycle

A cybercycle is a type of exergame which combines a traditional stationary bike with virtual reality tours, competitive avatars, and videogame features.^[1][2][3]

History

The term "cybercycle" has been used to refer to a futuristic vehicle in science fiction stories^[4] and video games.^[5] Stationary bicycles in combination with 2D or 3D displays have been in existence since the early days of personal computers,^[6] developing into virtual reality systems as graphic capabilities improved.^[7] Cay Anderson-Hanley of Union College and Paul Arciero of Skidmore College labeled the bicycle-virtual-reality combination a "cybercycle" in 2008 when they began conducting research on the benefits cycling exergames, to avoid referring to specific brand names.

Cybercycles and health

Anderson-Hanley and Arciero's research found increased cognitive benefits when older adults used cybercycles for exercise rather than ordinary stationary bicycles.^{[8][9][10][11]} These results have been written about in news media around the world,^[12][13] including The Wall Street Journal,^[14] Press Association,^[15] Medscape Medical News,^[16] and Zee News.^[17] Additional research has been published on the benefits of cybercycling for college students ^[18] and also for children on the autism spectrum.^[19]

Based on this research, some retirement communities have added cybercycles to their exercise equipment.^[20][21]