Research in Sports Medicine and Technology

Comparison the effects of two pedaling methods on lower limb muscles activity and fatigue index in road cyclists

Authors

Masomeh Abdi
Hamed Esmaeili
Farzad Nazem
Mehrdad Anbariyan
https://doi.org/10.18869/acadpub.jsmt.13.9.75
Abstract
The aim of this study was to compare the effects of two pedaling methods on lower limb muscles fatigue

index and muscular activity in road cyclists. For this purpose eight road cyclists participated in two separately

session in laboratory. They were pedaling with pushing technique in first session and circling (pullingpushing)

technique in the other session. Surface electromyography activity of the Rectus Femoris, Vastus

Medialis, Vastus Lateralis, Biceps Femoris, Semitendinosous, Gastrocnemius Medialis, Gastrocnemius

Lateralis and Tibialis Anterior muscles of the subjects were recorded. Each session was performed

according to predetermined protocol until exhaustion. There was a significant difference between pushing

and rest phases during two pedaling techniques with higher muscle activity in pushing technique. Subjects

during circling technique exhausted later. According to the results of this study, the circling technique caused

lower muscle activity consequently, increases gross efficiency. It is recommended that road cyclists utilize

the circling technique.

Keywords

Cycling
Pedaling Technique
Electromyography
Fatigue