REF-247 · Larsen et al., 2025 · Frontiers in Neurology, Vol. 16, · Paper

The feasibility and efficacy of coach-led virtual home-based cycling among individuals with cerebral palsy

C+thin evidenceMeasured on non-athletes and recreational peopleWritten before October 2026, being re-checked

Participants

n=23 individuals with cerebral palsy (GMFCS I-IV; 16 males; mean age 26, range 13-58 yr). 12-week home-based intervention, three weekly sessions on a virtual platform, completed either in an online coach-led group or independently, plus guidance for additional training. 22 completed (one dropout, mononucleosis); attendance averaged 3.1 sessions/week (range 2-5).

Protocol

Primary focus: feasibility (retention, adherence, safety). Efficacy: functional threshold power test (FTP), Timed Up and Go (TUG), Sit to Stand (STS) before and after, plus self-reported questionnaires. The abstract does not state how intensity was controlled (ERG mode is not mentioned).

Key Results

Safe and feasible: no adverse events; high retention (22 of 23) and attendance (3.1 sessions/week).
FTP improved by 67.2 ± 37.3 W (p<0.001); TUG improved by 2.1 ± 1.4 s (p<0.001); STS improved by 3.9 ± 3.3 repetitions (p<0.001).
Self-reported fatigue, pain, sleep, well-being and self-efficacy were unchanged.

Practical Application

n=23 people with cerebral palsy (GMFCS I-IV, age 13-58), 12 weeks of home-based virtual cycling 3×/week: no adverse events, 22 completers at 3.1 sessions/week, FTP +67.2 ± 37.3 W, Timed Up and Go −2.1 s, Sit to Stand +3.9 reps (all p<0.001) — virtual home cycling was safe, kept people training and improved capacity in a population with movement limitations.
Not evidence about trained athletes or about ERG mode — single-arm, clinical population, and the abstract does not say how load was controlled. Useful only as a feasibility signal for coached remote cycling.
Inference, not tested: the large FTP gain from a low baseline in untrained participants should not be transferred to athletes; the size of the effect reflects the starting point.

Limitations

Clinical population (cerebral palsy) — not transferable to trained cyclists. No control arm; single-arm pre-post design. Small sample with heterogeneous disability levels (GMFCS I-IV). Intensity control method not stated in the abstract.

How this entry was checked and changed
Why this level

(specific clinical population)

Content correction 2026-09-27
Removed the ERG-mode claims ("effort controlled via ERG mode", "ERG mode ensured reproducible load", ERG lead bullet) -> the abstract does not mention ERG mode.
Tier 2-3 (Trained/Well-trained) -> Tier 0-1: participants were individuals with cerebral palsy.
Added the abstract's efficacy results the entry omitted (FTP +67.2 W, TUG −2.1 s, STS +3.9 reps, 22 completers, 3.1 sessions/week, unchanged questionnaires); lead now the study's finding.