University Of Queensland Centre Aims To Uncover The Health Benefits Of Trail Bike Riding

Main Category: Sports Medicine / Fitness
Article Date: 19 Jun 2009 - 2:00 PDT

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The University of Queensland's Healthy Communities Research Centre , in collaboration with Australian Dirt Bike Adventures, is currently administering the first phase of a research project into the health benefits of trail bike riding based in Queensland.

The three-phase research project aims to focus on the personal and social benefits of trail bike riding activities.

Psychological health, physical fitness and young men's health will be explored, as well as an analysis of wider community and population health benefits.

The first phase of the project, "A Trail Bike Riding Needs Analysis", is currently being conducted via an online survey and aims to acquire information on the needs of trail bike riders and the activities they are involved in.

The survey requests information about the kind of bikes participants ride, where they ride, benefits of trail bike riding and issues and concerns surrounding the sport.

Healthy Communities Research Centre Director Professor Robert Bush said that while there was little research available on the health benefits of trail bike riding, past studies showed off-road motorcycling activities could produce family, social and health benefits when performed in a safe and sustainable environment.

"It's a popular sport within the Ipswich and West Moreton region and warrants further investigation," Professor Bush said.

"Collaboration with Australian Dirt Bike Adventures is a good example of how community organisations and university researchers can together build sound evidence to support health in the community."

The survey is open to trail bike riders and people who participate in off-road motorcycling activities in Queensland.

Participation in the survey is voluntary and all information provided is confidential and completely anonymous.

The survey can be found here.

Results will be made available through the Healthy Communities Research Centre.

The Healthy Communities Research Centre is based at UQ's Ipswich Campus.

Source
University of Queensland