PEDALLING KINEMATICS OF CYCLING WITH ROTOR® CRANKS

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the 3-D pedaling kinematics of cycling using a Rotor RSIV and a conventional crank system. Five trained cyclists cycled at their preferred cadence and power output of 300 W using Rotor (ROT) and conventional (CON) cranks. The hip, knee and ankle flexion/extension, shank rotation, foot adduction/abduction, and pedal angle were analyzed employing 3-D kinematics. The range of motion (ROM) using the two crank systems were compared by the Student ttest. The ROM was statistically different (p<0.05) between the ROT and CON for movements of hip, knee, ankle, shank, and pedal. No differences in foot ROM were found. The ROT changed the pedaling kinematics of the evaluated cyclists who were not previously adapted to use of the ROT.