Muscle Fatigue Based Evaluation of Bicycle Design

Bicycling posture leads to considerable discomfort and a variety of chronic injuries. This necessitates a proper bicycle design to avoid injuries and thereby enhance rider comfort. The objective of this study was to investigate the muscle activity during cycling on three different bicycle designs, i.e., rigid frame (RF), suspension (SU) and sports (SP) using surface electromyography (sEMG). Twelve male volunteers participated in this study. sEMG signals were acquired bilaterally from extensor carpi radialis (ECR), trapezius medial (TM), latissimus dorsi medial (LDM) and erector spinae (ES), during 30 minutes of cycling on each bicycle and after cycling. Time domain (RMS) and frequency domain (MPF) parameters were extracted from acquired sEMG signals. From the sEMG study, it was found that the fatigue in right LDM and ES were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in SP bicycle. This was corroborated by a psychophysical assessment based on RBG pain scale. The study also showed that there was a significantly lesser fatigue with the SU bicycle than the RF and SP bicycles.

• Record URL:
  • https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apergo.2013.04.013
• Record URL:
  • http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0003687013000859
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/00036870
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Abstract reprinted with permission from Elsevier.
• Authors:
  • Balasubramanian, V
  • Jagannath, M
  • Adalarasu, K
• Publication Date: 2014-3

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Features: Figures; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: pp 339-345
• Serial:
  • Applied Ergonomics
  • Volume: 45
  • Issue Number: 2, Part B
  • Publisher: Elsevier
  • ISSN: 0003-6870
  • EISSN: 1872-9126
  • Serial URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/00036870

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bicycles; Bicycling; Ergonomics; Fatigue (Physiological condition); Injuries; Muscles; Posture; Vehicle design
• Subject Areas: Pedestrians and Bicyclists; Safety and Human Factors; I84: Personal Injuries;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01501634
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Dec 23 2013 7:52AM