Movement Analysis Project:

“Cycling”…

By Ryan Levander

History of the bike

• First bike invented in 1817 by German Baron Karl von Drais…first bike was called the “draisine”.

Efficient, Effective Motions on the bike

• Adjustments: Two most important adjustments you can make with your bike are seat height and handle bar reach.

• These adjustments will improve both efficiency and comfort level.

Seat Height• Easiest way to make a correct seat

adjustment:– Sit on seat, arms on handlebars (preferably resting

on aero-bars)– Shoeless feet rest on the pedal– Heel needs to be in the center of the pedal– Crank arm needs to stay aligned with the seat

tube…

…Seat Height– Your opposite foot should also be on the opposing

pedal, as not to favor or lean to one side.– Adjust seat until knee is locked in extension when

heel is in pedal.

…Seat Height• It is important to note that for every 2cm you

move the saddle up, you will need to slide the seat forward 1cm. The seat also will move forward when lowering it. So it’s a 2:1 ratio of vertical to horizontal adjustments.

Handlebar Reach• A good rule of thumb to go by here is the

measurement from the nose of your seat to the back of your handle bars should be 1-1.5 inches longer than the distance from the back of your elbow to the end of your extended fingers.

• As the handlebars are lowered, there is a corresponding need to slightly move the saddle forward, thus opening the angle between the thigh and the trunk.

• If not done the effort will be magnified.

…Handlebar Reach

…Handlebar Reach

A Should be 1-1.5 times > B

A B

Other possible adjustments• Covered Wheels • Aerodynamic helmet design• Shifters on the aero-bars– All increase aero-dynamic form

• Adjustable stem – Adjusts handlebars in multiple ways.

Breaking down the movement

• Pedaling, thee movement in cycling.– Circular motion rotating around the center of the

crank arm (fulcrum).

...Breaking down the movement

• Keep the legs in a continuous motion, so you are constantly using your momentum as you ride.

• Momentum = mass x velocity– Mass is the bike’s weight and yours combined.– Velocity is output on bike, the RPMs, or

Revolutions per Minute.

…Breaking down the movement• Keep knees

toward bike, with a valgus force to reduce wind drag.

…Breaking down the movement

• This is an incorrect way of knee placement, a varus force, away from the bike.

Kinetic Variables

• Pedaling is not classified as an angular velocity measurement. Because angular velocity measures more the start and stop time with one movement, and pedaling is a constant until the race or effort ends.

• Pedaling velocity is measure in RPMs.

…Kinetic Variables• Internal vs. External Forces

– Internal force: Muscles pulling on your bones via tendons.

– External force: Forces acting on the body from without individual body segments, they affect total body segments.

Internal Force: Muscles• Internal Force,

muscles used:– Quadriceps (rectus

femoris, vastus medialis, vastus lateralis, vastus intermedius)

…Internal Force: Muscles

– Hamstrings (biceps femoris, semimembranosus, semitendonosus)

…Internal Force: Muscles

– Gastrocnemius & Soleus

…Internal Force: Muscles– Gluteal muscles

(gluteus maximus, gluteus minimus, gluteus medius)

…Internal Force: Muscles• Peroneus Longus

…Internal Force: Muscles• Tibialis anterior

…Internal Force: Muscle Use

• The quadriceps and hamstrings muscles are used in almost every motion of cycling…

• …while as the gluteul muscles, gastrocnemius, soleus, peroneous longus, and tibialis anterior are used more so when you get up off of your pedals, as if finishing the race with a sprint, or powering up a hill.

External Forces• The wind (remaining

aero-dynamic in every position to avoid wind drag)

…External Forces• Altitude Training– Training at high altitudes will decrease the amount

of oxygen the athlete can take into their body and use effectively, also known as their VO2 Max.

…External Forces• Terrain type (amount of displacement on tire,

level of friction it causes).

Conclusion• Cycling is a sport that relies mainly on time or place• Exercise scientists are always trying to figure out a

way to shave off a second• One of the most studied sports out there • It was tough to condense everything!!