Citation

Priego Quesada JI, Perez-Soriano P, Gabriel Lucas-Cuevas A, Salvador Palmer R, Cibrian Ortiz de Anda RM. J. Sports Sci. 2017; 35(14): 1459-1465.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/02640414.2016.1215496

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess the influence of different bike positions on the perception of fatigue, pain and comfort. Twenty cyclists underwent three tests that involved cycling for 45min at their individual 50% peak aerobic power output while adopting different positions on the bike. Participants performed the cycling tests adopting three positions defined by two parameters (knee flexion angle [20 degrees, 30 degrees, 40 degrees] and trunk flexion angle [35 degrees, 45 degrees, 55 degrees]) in random order. Angles were measured using a 2D motion analysis system during cycling and applying Fonda's correction factor. Perceptions of comfort, fatigue and pain were reported before the end of each test. The combination of 40 degrees knee flexion and 35 degrees trunk flexion was perceived as the most uncomfortable position. Moreover, greater knee flexion had a negative effect on trunk comfort, accompanied by greater levels of fatigue and pain perception in the anterior part of the thigh and knee. In conclusion, cyclists perceived the most comfortable position to be when the saddle height was within the recommended knee angle (30 degrees calculated from the offset position or 40 +/- 4.0 degrees of absolute value). Upright trunk was found to be the most comfortable position for recreational cyclists, where aerodynamics is not so important. Cyclists' bike perceptions should be taken into account when it comes to choosing the most beneficial position, since this can play a role in injury prevention and enhance cycling performance.

KEYWORDS: Bicycles; Bicyclists; Bicycling

Language: en