Perceptual Thresholds for Vibration Transmitted to Road Cyclists.

Objectives: In this article, we seek to determine how sensitive road cyclists are to vertical vibration transmitted while riding a road bicycle and to propose metrics for the evaluation of dynamic comfort.

Background: Road cyclists are exposed to random-type excitation due to road roughness. Vibration transmitted affects dynamic comfort.

Muscle coordination patterns for efficient cycling.

Introduction/purpose: Cycling is a repetitive activity using coordinated muscle recruitment patterns to apply force to the pedals. With more muscles available for activation than required, some patterns produce high power, whereas some are more efficient. The purpose of this study was to identify relationships between muscle coordination and factors affecting muscle coordination to explain changes in overall mechanical efficiency (ηO).

Changes of pedaling technique and muscle coordination during an exhaustive exercise.

Purpose: Alterations of the mechanical patterns during an exhaustive pedaling exercise have been previously shown. We designed the present study to test the hypothesis that these alterations in the biomechanics of pedaling, which occur during exhaustive exercise, are linked to changes in the activity patterns of lower limb muscles.

Methods: Ten well-trained cyclists were tested during a limited time to exhaustion, performing 80% of maximal power tolerated.

Interindividual variability of electromyographic patterns and pedal force profiles in trained cyclists.

The aim of this study was to determine whether high inter-individual variability of the electromyographic (EMG) patterns during pedaling is accompanied by variability in the pedal force application patterns. Eleven male experienced cyclists were tested at two submaximal power outputs (150 and 250 W). Pedal force components (effective and total forces) and index of mechanical effectiveness were measured continuously using instrumented pedals and were synchronized with surface electromyography signals measured in ten lower limb muscles.