Influence of saddle height and exercise intensity on pedalling asymmetries in cyclists

Fernando Diefenthaeler,Joscelito De Oliveira Berneira,Felipe Pivetta Carpes,Vanderson Luis Moro

doi:10.5007/1980-0037.2016v18n4p411

Fernando Diefenthaeler, Joscelito De Oliveira Berneira + Show 2 more

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https://doi.org/10.5007/1980-0037.2016v18n4p411

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Abstract

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5007/1980-0037.2016v18n4p411 Pedaling asymmetries quantified during stationary cycling, when cyclist body positioning and intensity remain unchanged, may not fully reproduce the training and competition situations, in which cyclists experience different intensities and may opt for different saddle positioning aiming at power output optimization. Previous studies showed that torque and power can be asymmetric in cyclists. It is not clear whether changes in saddle height and exercise intensity may affect asymmetries. The aim of the present study was to determine pedaling asymmetries during cycling at different saddle heights and different exercise intensities. Twelve competitive cyclists performed an incremental maximal test, a constant-load (“heavy” intensity domain), and a Wingate test. Constant load and the Wingate tests were repeated using three different saddle heights (reference and lower or higher by 2.5% of the distance from the pubic symphysis to the ground). Crank torque was recorded throughout the pedaling cycle. Asymmetry (higher torque for the preferred limb) was found in all saddle heights (p<0.001) in both intensities. Asymmetry index was similar across the saddle positions (p>0.05) in both intensities. Our results suggest that asymmetric cyclists present a consistent pattern regardless of small changes in the saddle height or in exercise intensity. For practical implication, cyclists producing asymmetric torque may be adapted to this condition so they are continuously exposed to asymmetric effort and overload on the lower limbs.

Highlights

Studies on pedaling asymmetries consider a constant body positioning sustained during short bouts of exercise mostly at fixed intensity
Such investigations made a major contribution to the study of leg asymmetries in cycling, they did not consider the influence of changing saddle position as representative of small adjusts that cyclists do to optimize power output during a training or competition[1,2,3,4,5,6,7]
One could argue that specific saddle positions could result in specific adaptation in length muscle relations, as observed for rectus femoris torque in response to different range of motions experienced by cyclists and runners[15]

Summary

Introduction

Studies on pedaling asymmetries consider a constant body positioning sustained during short bouts of exercise mostly at fixed intensity Such investigations made a major contribution to the study of leg asymmetries in cycling, they did not consider the influence of changing saddle position as representative of small adjusts that cyclists do to optimize power output during a training or competition[1,2,3,4,5,6,7]. When exercising at supra-maximal efforts, altering the saddle position affects mean power output[10,11], which is not observed at sub-maximal intensities[12] Another source of deviations in performance is the influence of changing saddle height on force-length muscle relations and force output[13,14]. Pedaling asymmetry is often analyzed in a single saddle position, which limits application of this information for a specific race, for example, when cyclists are free to vary, even if by small amounts, the saddle position (i.e. during climbing and time-trials)

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