Three‐dimensional kinematics of competitive and recreational cyclists across different workloads during cycling

Abstract

Although the link between sagittal plane motion and exercise intensity has been highlighted, no study assessed if different workloads lead to changes in three-dimensional cycling kinematics. This study compared three-dimensional joint and segment kinematics between competitive and recreational road cyclists across different workloads. Twenty-four road male cyclists (12 competitive and 12 recreational) underwent an incremental workload test to determine aerobic peak power output. In a following session, cyclists performed four trials at sub-maximal workloads (65, 75, 85 and 95% of their aerobic peak power output) at 90 rpm of pedalling cadence. Mean hip adduction, thigh rotation, shank rotation, pelvis inclination (latero-lateral and anterior-posterior), spine inclination and rotation were computed at the power section of the crank cycle (12 o'clock to 6 o'clock crank positions) using three-dimensional kinematics. Greater lateral spine inclination (p < .01, 5-16%, effect sizes = 0.09-0.25) and larger spine rotation (p < .01, 16-29%, effect sizes = 0.31-0.70) were observed for recreational cyclists than competitive cyclists across workload trials. No differences in segment and joint angles were observed from changes in workload with significant individual effects on spine inclination (p < .01). No workload effects were found in segment angles but differences, although small, existed when comparing competitive road to recreational cyclists. When conducting assessment of joint and segment motions, workload between 65 and 95% of individual cyclists' peak power output could be used.

Bio-mechanical aspects of elite cyclists’ motor system adaptation in process of competition activity

“…At finish effectiveness of cyclists resulting forces increases [27]. Our results concord well with other data and are confirmed by them [2,3,6].…”

“…The authors found that distribution of joint torques and powers is mainly sustained in different conditions of pedaling [2]; For assessment of joint and segment movements working load of from 65 to 95% from maximal output power of separate cyclists can be used [3]; Dependences of power pedal's output and electromyography (EMG) of lower limb in different cyclic position. Besides, in this work the authors determined indicators of bilateral asymmetry of pedaling force and EMG.…”

Shoulder and thorax kinematics contribute to increased power output of competitive handcyclists

“…For example, competitive handcyclists had a 2.7% reduction in their shoulder height relative to crank height, potentially affecting shoulder extension, as previously suggested . Between recreational and competitive groups, participant's classification, handbike configurations, and backrest shapes were comparable, therefore, the observed technical differences may be attributed to the greater skill level the competitive participants . The greater skill of the handcyclists in the competitive group potentially facilitated their greater power output.…”

“…Crank angle was then determined using Euler angles (ZXY sequence). Upper limb kinematics were normalized to cycle duration (0%‐100%) and then averaged across ten cycles . These average cycles were then inputted used in the SPM analysis.…”

Synthesis of human-bike kinematic structures for direct kinematic analysis

“…Part of the work devoted to the inverse dynamics task assumes the coupling of movement in the ankle with the angle of the crank rotation (Bini, 2016). This is because the ankle joint in comparison to the knee and hip joint has the smallest range of movements in the sagittal plane -the plane of movement of the kinematic elements of the bicycle.…”