Learning to Cycle: Is Velocity a Control Parameter for Children’s Cycle Patterns on the Balance Bike?
The balance bike (BB) has been pointed out as being the most efficient learning bicycle due to its inherent stimulation of balance. However, the process of acquiring the control of balance on the BB has not been explored. This study aimed to: (i) categorize the cycle patterns of children on the BB,...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2022-12-01
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| Series: | Children |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/9/12/1937 |
| _version_ | 1797460890363101184 |
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| author | Cristiana Mercê Rita Cordovil David Catela Flávia Galdino Mafalda Bernardino Mirjam Altenburg Gonçalo António Nancy Brígida Marco Branco |
| author_facet | Cristiana Mercê Rita Cordovil David Catela Flávia Galdino Mafalda Bernardino Mirjam Altenburg Gonçalo António Nancy Brígida Marco Branco |
| author_sort | Cristiana Mercê |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The balance bike (BB) has been pointed out as being the most efficient learning bicycle due to its inherent stimulation of balance. However, the process of acquiring the control of balance on the BB has not been explored. This study aimed to: (i) categorize the cycle patterns of children on the BB, (ii) compare the cycle patterns in different stages of learning (before and after six sessions of a BB practice program), and (iii) verify whether velocity is a control parameter leading to transitions between different cycle patterns on a BB. The data were collected during the Learning to Cycle program from 12 children aged 6.06 ± 1.25 years. The velocity was measured using an inertial sensor. Seven different movement patterns were captured and categorized through video analysis. After practice, there was an increase in the mean number of different patterns and in the global mean and maximum velocity. These were interpreted as an improvement of the motor competence in the use of the BB. The results obtained support the hypothesis that velocity is a control parameter which leads to the emergence of diverse patterns of behavior. As the speed increased, the amount of foot contact with the ground became less frequent and the locomotor modes that imply that longer flight phases began to emerge. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T17:11:37Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-96bc54c0b92548a6b3524210475938c2 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2227-9067 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T17:11:37Z |
| publishDate | 2022-12-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Children |
| spelling | doaj.art-96bc54c0b92548a6b3524210475938c22023-11-24T14:02:18ZengMDPI AGChildren2227-90672022-12-01912193710.3390/children9121937Learning to Cycle: Is Velocity a Control Parameter for Children’s Cycle Patterns on the Balance Bike?Cristiana Mercê0Rita Cordovil1David Catela2Flávia Galdino3Mafalda Bernardino4Mirjam Altenburg5Gonçalo António6Nancy Brígida7Marco Branco8Centro Interdisciplinar de Estudo da Performance Humana, CIPER, Faculdade do Motricidade Humana, Universidade de Lisboa, 1499-002 Cruz-Quebrada, PortugalCentro Interdisciplinar de Estudo da Performance Humana, CIPER, Faculdade do Motricidade Humana, Universidade de Lisboa, 1499-002 Cruz-Quebrada, PortugalDepartamento de Atividade Física e Saúde, Escola Superior de Desporto de Rio Maior, Instituto Politécnico de Santarém, 2040-413 Rio Maior, PortugalDepartamento de Atividade Física e Saúde, Escola Superior de Desporto de Rio Maior, Instituto Politécnico de Santarém, 2040-413 Rio Maior, PortugalDepartamento de Atividade Física e Saúde, Escola Superior de Desporto de Rio Maior, Instituto Politécnico de Santarém, 2040-413 Rio Maior, PortugalDepartamento de Atividade Física e Saúde, Escola Superior de Desporto de Rio Maior, Instituto Politécnico de Santarém, 2040-413 Rio Maior, PortugalDepartamento de Atividade Física e Saúde, Escola Superior de Desporto de Rio Maior, Instituto Politécnico de Santarém, 2040-413 Rio Maior, PortugalDepartamento de Atividade Física e Saúde, Escola Superior de Desporto de Rio Maior, Instituto Politécnico de Santarém, 2040-413 Rio Maior, PortugalCentro Interdisciplinar de Estudo da Performance Humana, CIPER, Faculdade do Motricidade Humana, Universidade de Lisboa, 1499-002 Cruz-Quebrada, PortugalThe balance bike (BB) has been pointed out as being the most efficient learning bicycle due to its inherent stimulation of balance. However, the process of acquiring the control of balance on the BB has not been explored. This study aimed to: (i) categorize the cycle patterns of children on the BB, (ii) compare the cycle patterns in different stages of learning (before and after six sessions of a BB practice program), and (iii) verify whether velocity is a control parameter leading to transitions between different cycle patterns on a BB. The data were collected during the Learning to Cycle program from 12 children aged 6.06 ± 1.25 years. The velocity was measured using an inertial sensor. Seven different movement patterns were captured and categorized through video analysis. After practice, there was an increase in the mean number of different patterns and in the global mean and maximum velocity. These were interpreted as an improvement of the motor competence in the use of the BB. The results obtained support the hypothesis that velocity is a control parameter which leads to the emergence of diverse patterns of behavior. As the speed increased, the amount of foot contact with the ground became less frequent and the locomotor modes that imply that longer flight phases began to emerge.https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/9/12/1937balance bikechildrencycle patternscontrol parameterL2Cycle programIMU |
| spellingShingle | Cristiana Mercê Rita Cordovil David Catela Flávia Galdino Mafalda Bernardino Mirjam Altenburg Gonçalo António Nancy Brígida Marco Branco Learning to Cycle: Is Velocity a Control Parameter for Children’s Cycle Patterns on the Balance Bike? Children balance bike children cycle patterns control parameter L2Cycle program IMU |
| title | Learning to Cycle: Is Velocity a Control Parameter for Children’s Cycle Patterns on the Balance Bike? |
| title_full | Learning to Cycle: Is Velocity a Control Parameter for Children’s Cycle Patterns on the Balance Bike? |
| title_fullStr | Learning to Cycle: Is Velocity a Control Parameter for Children’s Cycle Patterns on the Balance Bike? |
| title_full_unstemmed | Learning to Cycle: Is Velocity a Control Parameter for Children’s Cycle Patterns on the Balance Bike? |
| title_short | Learning to Cycle: Is Velocity a Control Parameter for Children’s Cycle Patterns on the Balance Bike? |
| title_sort | learning to cycle is velocity a control parameter for children s cycle patterns on the balance bike |
| topic | balance bike children cycle patterns control parameter L2Cycle program IMU |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/9/12/1937 |
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