title: An improved accuracy six-load component pedal dynamometer for cycling.
abstract: This paper describes a new six-load component pedal dynamometer designed for study of knee overuse injury in cycling. A unique capability of the dynamometer is the ability to interface with multiple pedal platforms of varying height while maintaining a desired elevation of the foot above the pedal spindle axis. The dynamometer was designed using a concept described in an earlier article by Quinn and Mote (1991, Exp. Mech. 30, 40-48) which measures shear strain across multiple, thin cross-sections. An optimal design technique was used for choosing dimensions of the load measuring cross-sections. A dynamometer was designed and built using the optimal results. Calibration, accuracy results, and sample data are presented. A comparison of accuracy reveals that the new dynamometer is more accurate than previously reported instruments.
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of California, Davis 95616, USA.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Boyd
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Hull
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Wootten
mesh_terms: D001642:Bicycling / Q000502:physiology*; D002138:Calibration; D012090:Cumulative Trauma Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004867:Equipment Design; D016552:Ergometry / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006801:Humans; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D016474:Weight-Bearing / Q000502:physiology*