JOINT KINEMATIC ASYMMETRY BASED ON SPATIOTEMPORAL PATTERN DEVIATION DURING AN INCREMENTAL TEST IN HIGH LEVEL CYCLING

Authors

  • Camille Pouliquen
  • Guillaume Nicolas
  • Benoit Bideau
  • Armand Megret
  • Nicolas Bideau

Keywords:

cycling asymmetry, cross-correlation, normalized symmetry index

Abstract

The aim of this study was to use two asymmetry indexes from a kinematical point of view in professional cyclists during an incremental test to exhaustion. Twelve professional cyclists were evaluated during the French Cycling Federation’s protocol. Based on motion capture, asymmetry analysis was addressed by means of cross-correlation technique and a normalized symmetry index (NSI). Results pointed out that NSI could vary up to 18% throughout the pedaling cycle, with different behavior between upward and downward pedaling phases. Both methods exhibited low values of asymmetry especially for flexion/extension, but higher asymmetry values for other DOF. This study shows the complementarity of both NSI and cross-correlation methods. It enables to continuously evaluate changes during the crank cycle associated to skeletal movement.

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Published

2016-05-05

Issue

Section

Coaching and Sports Activities