The force output of handle and pedal in different bicycle-riding postures

The purpose of this study was to analyse the force output of handle and pedal as well as the electromyography (EMG) of lower extremity in different cycling postures. Bilateral pedalling asymmetry indices of force and EMG were also determined in this study. Twelve healthy cyclists were recruited for this study and tested for force output and EMG during steady state cycling adopting different pedalling and handle bar postures. The standing posture increased the maximal stepping torque (posture 1: 204.2  47.0 Nm; posture 2: 212.5  46.1 Nm; posture 3: 561.5  143.0 Nm; posture 4: 585.5  139.1 Nm), stepping work (posture 1: 655.2  134.6 Nm; posture 2: 673.2  116.3 Nm; posture 3: 1852.3  394.4 Nm; posture 4: 1911.3  432.9 Nm), and handle force (posture 1: 16.6  3.6 N; posture 2: 16.4  3.6 N; posture 3: 26.5  8.2 N; posture 4: 41.4  11.1 N), as well as muscle activation (posture 1: 13.6–25.1%; posture 2: 13.0–23.9%; posture 3: 23.6–61.8%; posture 4: 22.5–65.8%) in the erector spine, rectus femoris, tibialis anter...