Citation

Bulsink VE, Kiewiet H, van de Belt D, Bonnema GM, Koopman B. Hum. Mov. Sci. 2016; 46: 184-195.

Affiliation

Laboratory of Biomechanical Engineering, University of Twente, Postbus 217, 7500 AE Enschede, The Netherlands. Electronic address: H.F.J.M.Koopman@utwente.nl.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2016, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.humov.2016.01.005

PMID

26796419

Abstract

This study concentrates on the cycling strategies of older cyclists (54-62year olds) in comparison to young cyclists (20-30year olds). While cycling in a safe laboratory set-up, controlled lateral perturbations are applied to the rear of the bicycle. Three possible strategies to keep balance are analysed for a young and older aged group: steering, lateral trunk movement and outward knee movement. Older subjects appear to rely more on knee movement as a control mechanism than young subjects. Furthermore, the frequency domain analysis revealed that the older adults need more effort to counteract high frequency perturbations. Increased inter-individual variation for the older adults subject group suggests that this group can be seen as a transition group in terms of physical fitness. This explains their increased risk in single-sided bicycle accidents (i.e. accidents involving the cyclist only). Therefore, older cyclists could benefit from improving the stability of cycling at lower speeds.

Language: en