The Correlation Between Frontal Area and Joint Angles During Cycling

Aerodynamics is the main factor to optimize cycling performance during races. Aerodynamics can be measured using different methods as wind tunnel measurements or projected frontal area calculations. However, the main deficiency in practical training is the absence of a method to check the maintaining of the defined optimal aerodynamic cycling position in outdoor situations. Therefore, twelve participants performed several predefined cycling positions to study if there was a correlation between joint angles of the wrist, elbow, spine and head, which can be measured using inertial measurement units (IMUs), and the projected frontal area. The results show that the wrist, spine and head angles are significantly correlated with the projected frontal area (p < 0.05). Hence, the results support the idea that the projected frontal area can be predicted using IMUs in outdoor situations. This, in turn, could be used to provide real-time feedback on the optimal aerodynamic cycling position.