Feasibility and Safety of an Outdoor-Simulated Interactive Indoor Cycling Device for Cardiac Rehabilitation: A Pilot...

Background/Objectives: To examine the safety and clinical applicability of a newly developed outdoor-simulated interactive indoor cycling device as a potential exercise modality for cardiac rehabilitation (CR) in patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD). Methods: Twenty patients with CVD with low-to-moderate cardiovascular exercise risk performed a symptom-limited cardiopulmonary exercise stress test (CPET) using a modified Bruce protocol to obtain peak cardiopulmonary responses. After a 30-60 min rest, they rode the outdoor-simulated interactive indoor cycling device for 10 min with continuous gas exchange and electrocardiography monitoring. The treadmill-based CPET results were compared with those from the cycling device, focusing on key cardiopulmonary variables, such as VO₂, HR, METs, and Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE). Results: The 20 male participants had a mean age of 56.1 years. When treadmill peak values were used as reference, the cycling device elicited responses corresponding to moderate-to-vigorous intensity. In subgroup analysis, treadmill-derived peak VO₂, peak HR, and peak MET values were significantly lower in patients aged ≥60 years compared with those aged <60 years. However, no significant differences were observed in cycling-derived values between the two groups, suggesting that cycling may represent a relatively higher-intensity exercise compared with treadmill in older patients. No significant adverse cardiac events were observed during cycling. Conclusions: The outdoor-simulated interactive indoor cycling device delivered exercise intensity within the therapeutic range recommended for CR in patients with CVD. Furthermore, it appeared to elicit relatively higher exercise intensity in older patients, supporting its potential as a safe and effective alternative exercise modality for CR.