Effects of Different Pedaling Positions on Muscle Usage and Energy Expenditure in Amateur Cyclists

Chun-Kai Tang, Ching Huang, Kai-Cheng Liang, Yu-Jung Cheng, Yueh-Ling Hsieh, Yi-Fen Shih and Hsiu-Chen Lin ()
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Chun-Kai Tang: Department of Physical Therapy and Assistive Technology, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei 112304, Taiwan
Ching Huang: Department of Physical Therapy, Tao Yuan General Hospital, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Taoyuan 33004, Taiwan
Kai-Cheng Liang: Department of Physical Therapy and Graduate Institute of Rehabilitation Science, China Medical University, Taichung 406040, Taiwan
Yu-Jung Cheng: Department of Physical Therapy and Graduate Institute of Rehabilitation Science, China Medical University, Taichung 406040, Taiwan
Yueh-Ling Hsieh: Department of Physical Therapy and Graduate Institute of Rehabilitation Science, China Medical University, Taichung 406040, Taiwan
Yi-Fen Shih: Department of Physical Therapy and Assistive Technology, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei 112304, Taiwan
Hsiu-Chen Lin: Department of Physical Therapy and Graduate Institute of Rehabilitation Science, China Medical University, Taichung 406040, Taiwan

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 19, 1-11

Abstract: Background: Inappropriate cycling positions may affect muscle usage strategy and raise the level of fatigue or risk of sport injury. Dynamic bike fitting is a growing trend meant to help cyclists select proper bikes and adjust them to fit their ergometry. The purpose of this study is to investigate how the “knee forward of foot” (KFOF) distance, an important dynamic bike fitting variable, influences the muscle activation, muscle usage strategy, and rate of energy expenditure during cycling. Methods: Six amateur cyclists were recruited to perform the short-distance ride test (SRT) and the graded exercise tests (GXT) with pedaling positions at four different KFOF distances (+20, 0, −20, and −40 mm). The surface electromyographic (EMG) and portable energy metabolism systems were used to monitor the muscle activation and energy expenditure. The outcome measures included the EMG root-mean-square (RMS) amplitudes of eight muscles in the lower extremity during the SRT, the regression line of the changes in the EMG RMS amplitude and median frequency (MF), and the heart rate and oxygen consumption during the GXT. Results: Our results revealed significant differences in the muscle activation of vastus lateralis, vastus medialis, and semitendinosus among four different pedaling positions during the SRT. During GXT, no statistically significant differences in muscle usage strategy and energy expenditure were found among different KFOF. However, most cyclists had the highest rate of energy expenditure with either KFOF at −40 mm or 20 mm. Conclusions: The KFOF distance altered muscle activation in the SRT; however, no significant influence on the muscle usage strategy was found in the GXT. A higher rate of energy expenditure in the extreme pedaling positions of KFOF was observed in most amateur cyclists, so professional assistance for proper bike fitting was recommended.

Keywords: muscle usage; energy expenditure; cycling; pedaling position; bike fitting (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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