LITTLE CURRENT—Mobility and exercise, as well as mental stimulation, are widely recognized as being extremely important in maintaining quality of life as we age, but let’s face it, sitting on a stationary bike and peddling one’s way to nowhere is hardly anyone’s idea of stimulating. But thanks to digital marriage between technology and a tried-and-true exercise system, residents of Manitoulin Centennial Manor are finding that exercise can be fun.
A large monitor screen sits in front of a stationary bike in an exercise room at the Manor upon which Ed Heis sits, arms and legs pumping furiously as he focuses on the images playing out on the screen. The monitor is displaying a familiar scene—down Little Current’s Robinson Street to Park Road heading down towards Low Island and then along the docks past Wally’s. It’s just one of the familiar local cycling routes Manor residents can choose from.
“The company, Motiview, has people who have what I would call a dream job,” said Manor activities coordinator Julie Omnet. “I sent the company some suggestions, like starting out from the Manor which would be a familiar point.” The company then sent a team to Manitoulin to record the routes.
But there is nothing saying Manor residents need to be tied down to local locales as there are hundreds of routes set in locations all over the world. One resident who immigrated to Canada more than half a century ago from Italy likes to pedal around the sites of Roma checking out his old haunts.
The Expositor took a turn on the system, choosing France as a destination and was soon cycling down the Seine River.
“Residents can choose from a wide variety of music,” noted Ms. Omnet, punching up some ‘70s ambience. Soon the dulcet tones of Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones were calling out the cadence as the shores of the Seine drifted gently by.
The bicycle has several safety features to ensure riders don’t have any mishaps. Traffic is obviously not an issue on a stationary bike, but as anyone of an age can attest, falling off a bike is all too easy.
As mentioned above, exercise plays a very important role in maintaining quality of life. “It helps with maintaining balance, keeps the lungs and heart healthy and there is a mental stimulation aspect to this as well,” noted Ms. Omnet. Like any of the body’s muscles, the mind needs a workout too.
Adding to the fun is a little competition. Recently, Manor residents took part in a competition with long-term care homes across the globe. The Pedal On Road Worlds really captured the imagination of several residents. “There were teams taking part from here to the Netherlands,” said Ms. Omnet. The Manitoulin Centennial All Stars team pedaled 48.3 kilometres in the 2022 Worlds to capture 160th place. It’s a start and not bad for a small long-term care facility.
A Canadian team took first (17,231.2 km) and eighth place (4,219.2 km), with both of the top male and female individuals hailing from Orléans Ontario’s Bruyere Village.
Following the competition, participating residents received certificates and medals.
The usual session on the bike runs to 20 minutes, but not everyone goes that long while others take on multiple sessions a day, especially during the competition. “We have folks who come in every day,” said Ms. Omnet. “When the competition was on, some of them would even come in twice a day.”
Mr. Heis said that he enjoyed his time on the bike, especially since the scenery was very familiar. Best of all, “it’s not cold,” he said.
