Leiter: Univ.-Prof. Dr. habil. Volker Zschorlich
Tel.: 0381/498 2746
The influence of individual movement pattern on coordinative efficiency in road cycling
It seemed desirable to investigate the coordinative behaviour of cycling on the road. We attach two three-dimensional pedal dynamometers on a custom ten-speed racing bicycle. Crank angle and pedal angles are also registered. All this data were transmitted by an eight channel PCM telemetry. From these quantities the coordinative efficiency is determined by the propulsive forces and the resultant forces over a crank cycle. ergometer exercise did not produce identical movement patterns if compared with field measurements due to environmental conditions like road surfaces, climbing uphill, sprint or change of gear for example. In road cycling we found also high efficiency for competitive cyclists (national champion) in high cadences. At pedal frequency up to 120 rpm the efficiency of competitive cyclists never decreased below η = 50% whereas the efficiency of triathletes decreased down to η = 20%.
Zschorlich, V. (1989). The influence of individual movement pattern on coordinative efficiency in road cycling. Journal of Biomechanics, Vol 22, 10, p.1110.