Discomfort, pain and fatigue levels of 160 cyclists after a kinematic bike-fitting method: an experimental study

Impact of physiotherapy-led bike fitting on the evolution of knee pain in recreational cyclists: the PBF study

INTRODUCTION

A Physiotherapy-led Bike Fitting (PBF) intervention including a bike fit, education, and exercise prescription can be helpful among cyclists with knee pain.

OBJECTIVE

To describe the PBF intervention and to assess knee-related pain and disability change among recreational cyclists exposed to the PBF intervention.

METHODS

This is a single group prospective observational longitudinal study on a cohort of recreational road cyclists who consulted for cycling-related knee pain at a physiotherapy clinic specialized in cycling. The PBF included a comprehensive bike fit focusing on key measurements such as knee flexion and knee alignment relative to the pedal axis while cycling. Additionally, tailored education was provided on cycling cadence and training progression, along with exercise prescriptions. The primary outcome was the knee pain during cycling measured with the numerical pain rating scale (NPRS; 0-10). Linear models were used to assess within-group changes across time points at 4 and 12 weeks.

RESULTS

Seventy-six recreational road cyclists with knee pain while cycling were included and all received the PBF intervention. In terms of evolution over time following the intervention, there were significant improvements over time in worst, least, and average knee pain while cycling (p < .001) with respective improvements of -2.52 (95% CI: -3.04; -2), -0.7 (95% CI: -1.02; -0.38) and -1.81 (95% CI: -2.27; -1.36) at 12 weeks.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on this single group observational study, recreational road cyclist exposed to a PBF intervention, including a bike fit, tailored education, and exercises prescriptions reported a reduction in cycling-related knee pain and disability.

Spinal Alignment and Pain: An Assessment of Amateur Road Cyclists-A Pilot Study

BACKGROUND

Cycling involves specific body positions that, when maintained for prolonged periods, may affect spinal curvature and increase the risk of pain-related issues. This study aimed to evaluate sagittal spinal curvatures, the prevalence of pain in spinal segments, and their interrelation among amateur road cyclists. Methoods: The research included 30 male participants aged 18-48 years. Pain severity was assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and Laitinen scale, while spinal curvature was evaluated with an electronic inclinometer.

RESULTS

Results showed no statistically significant differences in spinal curvature angles between cyclists with and without pain complaints (p = 0.056). However, tendencies were noted, such as higher mean VAS scores for lower back pain (4.90) compared to neck pain (3.38), and variations in parameters like Beta, LL, and KGP.

CONCLUSIONS

While the findings did not confirm clear distinctions, they suggest trends indicating potential links between spinal curvatures and pain occurrence. These results underscore the importance of further studies involving larger cohorts to verify these observations and explore the biomechanical adaptations associated with amateur cycling. Insights from such research could inform strategies for preventing and managing spinal pain among cyclists.

Effectiveness of a 3D bikefitting method in riding pain, fatigue, and comfort: a randomized controlled clinical trial

To investigate the effects of bike fitting compared to qualitative-based riding posture recommendations on comfort, fatigue, and pain in amateur cyclists. This was a randomised controlled parallel trial of 162 amateur cyclists divided into two groups: bike fitting group (BFG) - participants received a bike fitting session based on 3D kinematic assessments; and a control group (QG) - participants who received a handout containing qualitative-based cycling posture recommendations. Primary outcomes were perceived comfort (FEEL Scale), perceived fatigue (OMNI Scale), and perceived pain (numeric rating pain scale, NRPS). Outcomes were assessed at baseline, when the interventions were delivered, and after 15 days. Intention-to-treat analyses were conducted using student t-tests between pre and post intervention on both groups. All dependent variables from BFG displayed significant statistical difference between both groups post-intervention (p < 0.05). FEEL Scale and OMNI Scale results showed the highest changes of all variables under analysis (mean differences of 3.12 and 3.95 points, respectively); while the body parts with more reduction in riding pain were Groin and Back (mean differences of 1.68 and 1.35, respectively). In conclusion, 3D kinematic bikefit demonstrated superior improvements over riding pain, comfort and fatigue compared to qualitative riding posture recommendations.

Long-Term Effects of a Kinematic Bikefitting Method on Pain, Comfort, and Fatigue: A Prospective Cohort Study

The purpose of this study is to analyze the long-term riders' subjective responses to a standardized bikefitting method on their bicycles. Eighty-six amateur mountain bikers had their riding posture and bicycle components ergonomically adjusted through a 3D kinematic bikefitting method. Validated subjective scales (Feeling, OMNI, and Numerical Rating Pain Scale) were used to assess their overall riding comfort and fatigue along with localized pain for six body parts. Data were collected just before intervention (baseline or pre), immediately after (or post), and 30, 60, 90, and 120 days after the bikefit session. A Student's t-test comparing before bikefit and after 120 days showed significant (p < 0.05) reduction in localized pain for all six body parts and riding comfort along with a large effect size effect (d = 1.18) for riding comfort. Although initially reduced, fatigue scores gradually increased over the months, showing a high correlation (r = 0.946) with increased monthly training volume. In conclusion, overall riding discomfort and pain were significantly decreased after a standardized kinematic bikefit session even after 120 days post intervention. However, fatigue scores began to rise after 30 days, showing a high correlation with increasing monthly training volume.

Comparative Analysis of Male Cyclist Population in Four Asia Countries for Anthropometric Measurements

This study aimed to compare the anthropometric variables of male cyclist samples from India, China, Singapore, and Taiwan. The cyclist's body dimensions were measured among 413 randomly chosen males (aged between 18 to 60), which included 104 Indians, 106 Taiwanese, 100 Singaporeans, and 103 Chinese. Based on the previous research articles, the considered 17 anthropometric variables were weight, stature, BMI, buttock extension, shoulder height (sitting), shoulder-elbow length, elbow height (sitting), lower leg length, knee height, acromion-grip length, hand length, elbow-hand length, buttock-popliteal length, buttock-knee length, elbow-to-elbow breadth, hip breadth (sitting), and foot breadth. Using statistical techniques (descriptive statistics, the Mann-Whitney U test, and Kruskal-Wallis H test), the data were analysed in SPSS, version 25.0. The results of the statistical analyses showed significant differences among the cyclists across selected anthropometric characteristics, except for the weight and sitting-related anthropometric measurements. The outcome of the descriptive statistics (percentile values), such as the percentile range (5th to 95th percentile), could be applied to the seat-height adjustment system to cover 95% of the bicyclist population. These types of implantation could enhance the ergonomic benefits for the bicyclist.

Strength Level of Professional Elite Soccer Players after the COVID-19 Lockdown Period: A Retrospective Double-Arm Cohort Study

Background

It is well known that periods of inactivity generate a loss of muscle strength, a fundamental component of sports performance in soccer. However, little information is available on the decrease in strength levels in professional soccer players after the quarantine lockdown that occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Aim

To compare the isokinetic peak torque profiles of professional soccer players from different teams before and after the quarantine period generated by COVID-19.

Methods

A retrospective observational study was performed using data collected from two different professional elite-level soccer teams just before and immediately after the COVID-19 quarantine period. One team gave individual instructions to its players for conditioning maintenance at home during the quarantine period, while the other team used regular video calls to maintain the player's conditioning status on home training. The main outcomes were the mean peak torque of knee extensors and flexors, from concentric and eccentric contractions of each playing position. Analysis. A two-way ANOVA analysis was used to compare peak torque before and after the quarantine period and between both teams' strategies, showing a statistically significant reduction in eccentric knee flexor peak torque from the team that did not have remote monitoring.

Conclusions

Remote monitoring programs are recommended so that athletes are less affected by the deleterious effects of confinement.

Methods to determine saddle height in cycling and implications of changes in saddle height in performance and injury risk: A systematic review

The objective of this systematic review was to assess the methods to determine bicycle saddle height and the effects of saddle height on cycling performance and injury risk outcomes. The key motivator of this review was to update and expand the finding reported by a previous narrative review published in 2011. The literature search included all documents from the following databases: Medline, Scopus, CINAHL, OVID and Google Scholar. Studies were screened against the Appraisal tool for Cross-sectional Studies to assess methodological quality and risk of bias. After screening the initial 29,398 articles identified, full-text screening was performed on 66 studies with 41 of these included in the systematic review. Strong evidence suggests that saddle height should be configured using dynamic measurements of the knee angle, and limb kinematics is influenced by changes in saddle height. However, moderate evidence suggests that changes in saddle height less than 4% of the leg length results in trivial to small changes in lower limb loads, and no effect on oxygen uptake and efficiency. It is also possible to state that there is limited evidence on the effects from changes in saddle height on supramaximal cycling performance or injury risk.