Evaluation of different bicycle ergonomic positions on muscles activity and cyclist performance before and after a fatigue protocol

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 MSc in Sport Biomechanics, Sport Sciences Faculty, University of Isfahan

2 Assistant Professor, Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Isfahan

3 Assistant Professor in Sport Physiology, Sport Sciences Faculty, University of Isfahan

Abstract

Background and aim: Bicycling is an activity for increasing the physical fitness of people. Cardiac and rehabilitation specialists prescribing this activity as an alternative treatment method. Many researches were done in the fields of biomechanics and ergonomics of cycling to reach the goals including improve techniques, reduce energy expenditure, and also reduce injury risk. The aim of this study was to compare the electrical activity of erector spinae, gluteus maximus, and rectus femoris muscles and also the cyclist performance in six different bicycle ergonomic positions before and after performing a fatigue protocol.
Materials and methods: Six professional female cyclist participated in this study. They have some experiences in national and Asian competitions. Six different ergonomic settings were considered consist of two handlebars and three saddle height settings. Electrical activity of three selected muscles and also the pedaling angular velocity were recorded before and after performing a fatigue protocol on a cycle ergometer.
Results: The effect of fatigue on electrical activity of muscles were differed significantly in different bicycle ergonomic positions. Besides, the angular velocity of pedaling or cyclist performance showed significant difference in these six ergonomic positions.
Conclusion: Ergonomic settings of bicycle including handlebars and saddle settings are important for reducing the muscles fatigue and increasing the cyclist performance. According to the results of this research, the position for the best performance is setting the saddle height upper the reference point, that is equal to lower extremities length, and setting the handlebars parallel to the ground.

Keywords

References

 
 
Bailey, M., Maillardet, F., & Messenger, N. (2003). Kinematics of cycling in relation to anterior knee pain and patellar tendinitis. Journal of Sports Sciences, 21(8), 649–657.
Balasubramanian, V., Jagannath, M., & Adalarasu, K. (2014). Muscle fatigue-based evaluation of bicycle design. Applied Ergonomics, 45(2), 339–345.
Baum, B. S., & Li, L. (2003). Lower extremity muscle activities during cycling are influenced by load and frequency. Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology, 13(2), 181–190.
Bini, R. R., Carpes, F. P., Diefenthaeler, F., Mota, C. B., Guimarães, A. C. S., de Estudo e Pesquisa em Ciclismo, G., & others. (2008). Physiological and electromyographic responses during 40-km cycling time trial: Relationship to muscle coordination and performance. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 11(4), 363–370.
Bini, R. R., Tamborindeguy, A. C., & Mota, C. B. (2010). Effects of saddle height, pedaling cadence, and workload on joint kinetics and kinematics during cycling. Journal of Sport Rehabilitation, 19(3), 301–314.
Bini, R., Hume, P. A., & Croft, J. L. (2011). Effects of bicycle saddle height on knee injury risk and cycling performance. Sports Medicine, 41(6), 463–476.
Bressel, E. (2001). The influence of ergometer pedaling direction on peak patellofemoral joint forces. Clinical Biomechanics, 16(5), 431–437.
Burke, E. (2003). High-tech cycling. Human Kinetics.
Burnett, A. F., Cornelius, M. W., Dankaerts, W., & O’Sullivan, P. B. (2004). Spinal kinematics and trunk muscle activity in cyclists: a comparison between healthy controls and non-specific chronic low back pain subjects—a pilot investigation. Manual Therapy, 9(4), 211–219.
Dingwell, J. B., Joubert, J. E., Diefenthaeler, F., Trinity, J. D. (2008). Changes in muscle activity and kinematics of highly trained cyclists during fatigue. IEEE Transactions on Biomedical Engineering, 55(11), 2666–2674.
Ditroilo, M., Watsford, M., Fernandez-Pena, E., D’amen, G., Lucertini, F., & De Vito, G. (2011). Effects of fatigue on muscle stiffness and intermittent sprinting during cycling. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 43(5), 837–845.
Ferrer-Roca, V., Roig, A., Galilea, P., & Garcia-López, J. (2012). Influence of saddle height on lower limb kinematics in well-trained cyclists: static vs. dynamic evaluation in bike fitting. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research, 26(11), 3025–3029.
Ghoochani, E., Rahati-Ghoochani, S., Ravi, M., & Hoseini, H. (2011). Detecting and predicting muscular fatigue during typing using surface EMG and neural network. Iranian Journal of Medical Physics, 8(1), 31–40.
Gonzalez, H., & Hull, M. L. (1989). Multivariable optimization of cycling biomechanics. Journal of Biomechanics, 22(11–12), 1151–1161.
Gregor, R. J., Broker, J. P., & Ryan, M. M. (1991). The Biomechanics of Cycling. Exercise and Sport Sciences Reviews, 19(1), 127–170.
Grimshaw, P., Fowler, N., Lees, A., & Burden, A. (2004). BIOS instant notes in sport and exercise biomechanics. Garland Science.
Hermens, H. J., Freriks, B., Disselhorst-Klug, C., & Rau, G. (2000). Development of recommendations for SEMG sensors and sensor placement procedures. Journal of electromyography and Kinesiology, 10(5), 361-374.
Hoviat-talab, M., & Khaki, H. (2010). Electromyography of foot muscles in cycling. 18th Annual International Conference on Mechanical Engineering.
Hull, M. L., & Jorge, M. (1985). A method for biomechanical analysis of bicycle pedalling. Journal of Biomechanics, 18(9), 631–644.
Kamen, G., & Gabriel, D. (2010). Essentials of electromyography. Human kinetics.
Konrad, P. (2005). The ABC of EMG: A Practical introduction to kinesiological electromyography. Noraxon Inc. USA.
Lakie, M., & Robson, L. G. (1988). Thixotropic changes in human muscle stiffness and the effects of fatigue. Quarterly Journal of Experimental Physiology, 73(4), 487–500.
Marzouki, H., Gmada, N., Farhani, Z., Hssin, N., Shephard, R., & Bouhlel, E. (2015). Crossover and maximal fat oxidation points during running and cycling in sedentary subjects. Science & Sports, 30(4), 196–203.
Moura, B. M. de, Moro, V. L., Rossato, M., Lucas, R. D. de, & Diefenthaeler, F. (2017). Effects of saddle height on performance and muscular activity during the Wingate test. Journal of Physical Education, 28.
Rezaie, M., & Hagh-panahi, M. (1999). Leg modeling and determining the joint forces and moments and muscle power using optimization techniques in cycling. 9th Iranian Biomdical Engineering Conference.
Rønnestad, B. R., & Hansen, J. (2016). Optimizing interval training at power output associated with peak oxygen uptake in well-trained cyclists. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research, 30(4), 999-1006.
Sanderson, D. J., & Amoroso, A. T. (2009). The influence of seat height on the mechanical function of the triceps surae muscles during steady-rate cycling. Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology, 19(6), e465--e471.
Savelberg, H. H. C. M., de Port, I. G. L., & Willems, P. J. B. (2003). Body configuration in cycling affects muscle recruitment and movement pattern. Journal of Applied Biomechanics, 19(4), 310–324.
Schwellnus, M. P., & Derman, E. W. (2005). Common injuries in cycling: Prevention, diagnosis and management. South African Family Practice, 47(7), 14–19.
Srinivasan, J., & Balasubramanian, V. (2007). Low back pain and muscle fatigue due to road cycling-An SEMG study. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, 11(3), 260–266.
Suzuki, S., Watanabe, S., & Homma, S. (1982). EMG activity and kinematics of human cycling movements at different constant velocities. Brain Research, 240(2), 245–258.
Tamborindeguy, A. C., & Bini, R. R. (2011). Does saddle height affect patellofemoral and tibiofemoral forces during bicycling for rehabilitation? Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, 15(2), 186–191.
Thomas, V. (1967). Scientific setting of saddle position. American Cycling, 6(4), 12–13.
Umberger, B. R., Gerritsen, K. G. M., & Martin, P. E. (2006). Muscle fiber type effects on energetically optimal cadences in cycling. Journal of Biomechanics, 39(8), 1472–1479.
Williams, N. (2017) The Borg rating of perceived exertion (RPE) scale. Occupational Medicine, 67(5), 404–405.
Journal for Research in Sport Rehabilitation
Volume 7, Issue 13 - Serial Number 13
December 2019
Pages 101-110

Files

Share

How to cite

Statistics