Differences in the Joint Movements and Muscle Activities of Novice according to Cycle Pedal Type

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare the joint movements and muscle activities of novices according to pedal type (flat, clip, and cleat pedal). Method: Nine novice male subjects (age: <TEX>$24.4{\pm}1.9years$</TEX>, height: <TEX>$1.77{\pm}0.05m$</TEX>, weight: <TEX>$72.4{\pm}7.6kg$</TEX>, shoe size: <TEX>$267.20{\pm}7.50mm$</TEX>) participated in 3-minute, 60-rpm cycle pedaling tests with the same load and cadence. Each of the subject's saddle height was determined by the <TEX>$155^{\circ}$</TEX> knee flexion angle when the pedal crank was at the 6 o'clock position (<TEX>$25^{\circ}$</TEX> knee angle method). The muscle activities of the vastus lateralis, tibialis anterior, biceps femoris, and gastrocnemius medialis were compared by using electromyography during 4 pedaling phases (phase 1: <TEX>$330{\sim}30^{\circ}$</TEX>, phase 2: <TEX>$30{\sim}150^{\circ}$</TEX>, phase 3: <TEX>$150{\sim}210^{\circ}$</TEX>, and phase 4: <TEX>$210{\sim}330^{\circ}$</TEX>). Results: The knee joint movement (range of motion) and maximum dorsiflexion angle of the ankle joint with the flat pedal were larger than those of the clip and cleat pedals. The maximum plantarflexion timing with the flat and clip pedals was faster than that of the flat pedal. Electromyography revealed that the vastus lateralis muscle activity with the flat pedal was greater than that with the clip and cleat pedals. Conclusion: With the clip and cleat pedals, the joint movements were limited but the muscle activities were more effective than that with the flat pedal. The novice cannot benefit from the clip and cleat pedals regardless of their pull-up pedaling advantage. Therefore, the novice should perform the skilled pulling-up pedaling exercise in order to benefit from the clip and cleat pedals in terms of pedaling performance.