Determination of the Optimal Saddle Height for Leisure Cycling (P188)

Abstract

Several studies have been done on road racing cycling and triathlon to determine the optimal saddle height (LINF) in terms of efficiency. However, cycling is becoming nowadays not only a popular sport but also a mass mean of transport were comfort takes priority over efficiency. The aim of this study is to determine an optimal saddle height (LINF) to improve comfort in leisure cycling. Five male subjects (height mean=172.2 cm, std=1.34 cm; crotch height mean=81.25cm, std=0.88cm) tested 9 prototypes of the company ORBEA with 3 levels of LINF. The test consisted in one hour cycling in lab conditions and four different techniques were used to evaluate the LINF: 3-D movement analysis was used to parameterize the knee extension and medio-lateral deviation; surface EMG was used in 3 leg muscles (gastrocnemius, rectus femoralis and tibialis anterior) to measure muscular activity; 16 pressure sensors were placed in seat and hand-grip to obtain peak pressures on both locations; finally, subjects were interviewed following a questionnaire to obtain subjective perception. Parametric results were studied using ANOVA analysis (p<0.05) and post-hoc analysis (Tukey-B), while Kruskal-Wallis analysis was used for non-parametric data (p<0.05).According to the data analysis, LINF best level was the intermediate one, which reduced muscular activation and peak pressure. Besides, with this level no injury risk was found regarding knee extension and mediolateral desviation. In addition, opinion data analysis showed that subjects prefer the intermediate level of LINF (p<0.05). Finally, a comfort coefficient was calculated using the mean value of the experimental sample crotch height and the optimal level of LINF proposed (LINF/ crotch height). The value obtained was 0.872 which is sensibly lower than the racing coefficient shown in literature (LINF coeficient= 0.883). In conclusion, this study proposes some biomechanical criteria in order to improve comfort in leisure cycling.