title: Effect of pedaling technique on muscle activity and cycling efficiency.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to examine the acute effect of talocrural joint position on muscle activity and gross mechanical efficiency (GE). Eleven trained cyclists participated in three randomized 6-min cycling bouts at approximately 80% of maximal aerobic capacity on an electromagnetically braked cycle ergometer while oxygen consumption and muscle activity (EMG) were monitored during the subject's self-selected pedaling technique (control) and while using a dorsi- and plantarflexed pedaling technique. The mean differences in range of motion of the dorsi- and plantarflexed technique from the control position were 7.1 +/- 4.4 and 6.9 +/- 5.4 degrees , respectively. Gastrocnemius EMG activity was higher with the dorsiflexion technique than when using the self-selected control position (33.2 +/- 13.0 and 24.2 +/- 8.4 microV s, respectively; P < 0.05). Moreover, GE was 2.6% lower while riding with the dorsiflexion technique than the control position (19.0 +/- 1.2 and 19.5 +/- 1.3%, respectively; P < 0.05). The data suggested that introducing more dorsiflexion into the pedal stroke of a trained cyclist increases muscle activity of the gastrocnemius lateralis and decreased GE when compared to the self-selected pedal stroke.
authors.affiliation: Department of Exercise and Nutritional Sciences, San Diego State University, 5500 Campanile Drive, San Diego, CA 92182-7251, USA. dcannon@rohan.sdsu.edu
authors.forename: Daniel T
authors.initials: DT
authors.lastname: Cannon
authors.forename: Fred W
authors.initials: FW
authors.lastname: Kolkhorst
authors.forename: Daniel J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Cipriani
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015308:Anaerobic Threshold / Q000502:physiology; D001642:Bicycling / Q000502:physiology*; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D004576:Electromyography; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007596:Joints / Q000502:physiology; D007866:Leg / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology*; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000502:physiology; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000502:physiology; D011187:Posture / Q000502:physiology