Cycling Position Research Articles

Road bike cycling and lower back pain - a literature review

Introduction and Purpose This literature review endeavors to provide a current synthesis of the available literature regarding the relationship between road bike cycling and lower back pain (LBP). This review focuses on the aspects of bike fitting, riding position, preexisting LBP, cycling injuries and predisposing risk factors among others. Brief Description of the State of KnowledgeRoad bike cycling is a popular sport considered to be low-impact physically and easy to start with. So goes the proverb - „it’s as easy as riding a bike”. However the truth may be more complicated. There are many positive effects associated with this sport, such as overall health improvement and the ecological impact, and they are generally well-researched. However it is more difficult to find data regarding the dangers. Improper training program, incorrect bike fit or suboptimal riding position are all factors that can lead to lower back pain (LBP) connected with road bike cycling. Previous injuries and spine health should also be taken into account. Summary In consideration of the gathered evidence it is important to consider the above-mentioned interventions to prevent or stop lower back pain (LBP) from emerging. This literature review struggles to provide a starting point for both cyclists and physicians alike who encounter such a problem. The bike fit, adjusting the bike in accordance with the body of the cyclist, analyzing the cycling position and the training program should be principal points to provide for a pain-free road bike cycling. Further research is needed to determine the long-term effects of such actions and their ability to prevent or stop LBP while/after road bike cycling.

Good ones and bad ones: gendered distortions and aspirations in research with conflict-affected youth in Liberia

ABSTRACT Gendered discourses of motorcycle taxi drivers in Liberia construct cyclists as bad men, presumed to possess excessive masculinity: too much speed, aggression, and hustle. These discourses contrast with cyclists’ self-perceptions, where motorcycling is one of few pathways available to them to become good men through the economic and social possibilities of the sector. Moreover, they maintain that cycling positions them not just as labourers but as peacebuilders. Liberian motorcyclists therefore narrate a quest for societal recognition against a backdrop of misrecognition. We analyse these gendered distortions and aspirations to show how masculinity positions young men outside of peacebuilding processes. We explore our positionality as researchers alongside efforts to discuss, analyse, and operationalise masculinities in research encounters and peacebuilding work with conflict-affected youth. We argue that aspirations for gender inclusion and gender analysis are not simple or straightforward tasks but require frequent translation, collaborative problem-solving, and participatory action methodologies.

The effects of cycling posture on exercise performance as determined by infrared thermography

ABSTRACT A sore neck and back are very common among cyclists and can be caused by a change in spinal curvature and forward head posture during cycling. In addition, elite cyclists were found to have a decreased infrared thermography measurement during incremental exercise, and increased measurements after exhaustion. This study aims to assess the benefits of corrected cycling posture, evaluated by the OpenPose evaluation system and physical therapists, on exercise performance as determined by infrared thermography. We adopt a case–control study design. Thirty participants were divided into the group riding with a natural posture (control group) and the group riding with a corrected posture (experimental group). While both groups had comparable back and neck temperatures before and 10 min after finishing the exercise, the corrected posture group had a statistically lower temperature compared to the control one after riding for 30 min (33.58 ± 0.69°C vs. 35.18 ± 0.89°C; p < 0.001). This observed decrease in skin temperature during exercise implies better heat dissipation mechanisms and hence fatigue avoidance among cyclists with corrected posture. Larger studies with various static and dynamic cycling positions are required to gain better insights about the correlation between those positions, infrared thermography measurements, enhanced athletic performance and injury prevention.

Steep uphill cycling using repeated transitions between seated and standing positions results in a lower blood-lactate concentration than continuous use of either seated or standing position.

This study investigated whether repeated transitions between seated and standing positions has a different physiological response compared to continuous use of either seated position or standing position during steep uphill cycling among elite cyclists. Ten elite male cyclists completed three 5-min treadmill cycling tests at an inclination of 6.8° with constant individual-based speed resulting in a work intensity close to the aerobic threshold. During the first and third test, the participants used standing position (ST test) and seated position (SE test) or vice versa, whereas in the second test, they made repeated transitions between standing and seated positions every 10 s (RT test). The last 2 min of each test was used to measure the mean values of oxygen uptake (V̇O2) and respiratory exchange ratio, which were used to calculate the metabolic rate (MR) and gross efficiency (GE). Additionally, the blood-lactate concentration before and after (Lapost) each test was determined. One-way repeated measures ANOVA was used to determine the effect of cycling position on the physiological response. No significant differences between tests were observed for the variables related to aerobic energy expenditure (i.e., V̇O2, MR and GE), whereas the RT test was associated with a significantly lower Lapost compared to the ST and SE tests. Steep uphill cycling, at an intensity close to the aerobic threshold, with repeated transitions between standing and seated positions, did not have a higher oxygen consumption; instead, the blood-lactate concentration was lower during the RT test compared to that under continuous use of either seated or standing position.

Fit and Pressure Comfort Evaluation on a Virtual Prototype of a Tight-Fit Cycling Shirt

Abstract Graduated compression is widely used for medical application to prevent perioperative venous thromboembolism, but other applications such as sportswear can potentially also benefit from it. A tight-fit cycling shirt meant to ensure the correct position during cycling and prevent injuries was designed. The aim of this study was to improve garment pattern design from the aspect of clothing pressure for providing support and enhancing comfort to the user. This paper investigates the suitability of pressure maps from 3D fashion design software CLO 3D for design and in particular its capability to discriminate between various materials and cycling postures. Moreover, the impact of the mechanical properties of fabric was analyzed. In particular, virtual prototyping tool CLO 3D and pressure mapping were employed to achieve the required graduated compression while ensuring fit and comfort. Pattern adjustments were iteratively performed until stress, strain, and pressure maps showed adequate fit and pressure of the cycling garment on the virtual cyclist in static and dynamic cycling positions. The impact of fabric types on garment fit has been shown by generating the stress, strain, and pressure maps with a virtual simulation. It was found that the visualized pressure on the human body model shows distributions that are related to contact between body and garment, and large compression stresses occur in the lower parts of the two shirts. Evident garment deformation was shown at hip level, upper arm, lower front side seam, and front neck, which can reduce garment wear comfort and freedom of movement. The output was found to be sufficiently accurate to optimize the garments based on material and cycling posture.

Aerodynamic impact of cycling postures on drafting in single paceline configurations

This paper presents finite-volume-based scale-adaptive simulations of single paceline configurations up to eight cyclists for three different postures. In cycling, drag reduction by drafting in pacelines is a key strategy to limit energy expenditure. The drag reductions of individual cyclists and of the paceline as a whole are determined by several factors, including cycling posture. To the best of our knowledge, a systematic study on the effect of cyclist posture on the drag in single pacelines has not yet been published in the scientific literature. In this study, drag reduction and flow field data were computed while validation was performed by wind tunnel measurements. The three investigated postures concern a road race dropped posture with either a large or small sagittal torso angle and a time trial posture. For the considered pacelines in which all cyclists have the same posture, the drag of a cyclist could be reduced by changing either the posture, or the position, or both. Changing posture can yield a maximum drag reduction of about 15% for the leading cyclist. The position in the paceline with minimum drag was the one but last, independent of the investigated cycling postures. For the pacelines containing eight cyclists, maximum drag reductions up to 63% were found. The largest drag reduction was 68%, obtained by riding in penultimate position in an eight cyclist paceline in dropped position with a small sagittal torso angle.

Smart Shirt for Measuring Trunk Orientation

Improper cycling posture is linked to a variety of spinal musculoskeletal diseases, including structural malformation of the spine and back discomfort. This paper presents a novel smart shirt integrated tri-axial gyroscope and accelerometer that can detect postural variation in terms of spinal curvature changes. To provide accurate feedback to the wearer and improve the wearer's correct movement, the garment is able to recognize trunk body posture. The gyroscope/accelerometer was placed around the upper and mid trunk of the user to record tri-axial angular velocity data. The device can also be used to help determine the trunk bending angle and monitor body postures in order to improve optimal orientation and position. The garment enables continuous measurement in the field at high sample rates (50 Hz), and the sensor has a large measurement range (16 g, 2000°/s). As electronic components are non-washable, instead of encapsulating them, a detachable module was created. In this, magnets are embedded in the jersey, and allow the positioning and removal of the sensor. The test results show that the average trunk-bending angle was 21.5°, and 99 percent of the observed angle fell within the standard (ranging from 8° to 35°). The findings demonstrate the feasibility of employing the smart shirt sensor to estimate trunk motions in the field on a regular basis.

Effectiveness of a 3D bikefitting method in riding pain, fatigue, and comfort: a randomized controlled clinical trial

ABSTRACT To investigate the effects of bike fitting compared to qualitative-based riding posture recommendations on comfort, fatigue, and pain in amateur cyclists. This was a randomised controlled parallel trial of 162 amateur cyclists divided into two groups: bike fitting group (BFG) – participants received a bike fitting session based on 3D kinematic assessments; and a control group (QG) – participants who received a handout containing qualitative-based cycling posture recommendations. Primary outcomes were perceived comfort (FEEL Scale), perceived fatigue (OMNI Scale), and perceived pain (numeric rating pain scale, NRPS). Outcomes were assessed at baseline, when the interventions were delivered, and after 15 days. Intention-to-treat analyses were conducted using student t-tests between pre and post intervention on both groups. All dependent variables from BFG displayed significant statistical difference between both groups post-intervention (p < 0.05). FEEL Scale and OMNI Scale results showed the highest changes of all variables under analysis (mean differences of 3.12 and 3.95 points, respectively); while the body parts with more reduction in riding pain were Groin and Back (mean differences of 1.68 and 1.35, respectively). In conclusion, 3D kinematic bikefit demonstrated superior improvements over riding pain, comfort and fatigue compared to qualitative riding posture recommendations.

A literature overview of modern biomechanical-based technologies for bike-fitting professionals and coaches

The optimization of cycling position is essential to improve performance and prevent overuse injuries. Bike-fitting methods, based on biomechanical variables, have been proposed in the scientific literature. To facilitate and generalize their use, the bike-fitting industry has developed various technologies to study and analyze the cycling position. The vast majority of bike-fitting protocols are based on joint kinematics, which can be evaluated in laboratory with two- or three-dimensional motion analysis systems. Joint kinematics can also be assessed in outdoor conditions with inertial measurement units, but currently, these tools provide a limited number of variables compared to laboratory systems. In addition, the bike-fitting professional can analyse pedalling technique with pedal forces to understand the effects of the bike adjustments on pedalling effectiveness. To complete the biomechanical evaluation, pressure mapping sensors allow for the measurement of the pressure load and distribution on the interfaces between the cyclist and the bicycle to detect imbalances and choose bike components (e.g., saddle). To go further in the analysis, muscular activity can be assessed with surface electromyography sensors to detect imbalances or asymmetry. The aim of this literature overview is to clearly define the role of these technologies in a bike-fitting protocol and identify their characteristics and limitations while proposing perspectives for future developments. Therefore, this work is intended for bike-fitting professionals and coaches wishing to choose the most suitable technologies to study and improve the cycling position, and for the bike-fitting industry, in order to optimize existing technologies and help develop new concepts.

Effects of Different Pedaling Positions on Muscle Usage and Energy Expenditure in Amateur Cyclists.

Background: Inappropriate cycling positions may affect muscle usage strategy and raise the level of fatigue or risk of sport injury. Dynamic bike fitting is a growing trend meant to help cyclists select proper bikes and adjust them to fit their ergometry. The purpose of this study is to investigate how the “knee forward of foot” (KFOF) distance, an important dynamic bike fitting variable, influences the muscle activation, muscle usage strategy, and rate of energy expenditure during cycling. Methods: Six amateur cyclists were recruited to perform the short-distance ride test (SRT) and the graded exercise tests (GXT) with pedaling positions at four different KFOF distances (+20, 0, −20, and −40 mm). The surface electromyographic (EMG) and portable energy metabolism systems were used to monitor the muscle activation and energy expenditure. The outcome measures included the EMG root-mean-square (RMS) amplitudes of eight muscles in the lower extremity during the SRT, the regression line of the changes in the EMG RMS amplitude and median frequency (MF), and the heart rate and oxygen consumption during the GXT. Results: Our results revealed significant differences in the muscle activation of vastus lateralis, vastus medialis, and semitendinosus among four different pedaling positions during the SRT. During GXT, no statistically significant differences in muscle usage strategy and energy expenditure were found among different KFOF. However, most cyclists had the highest rate of energy expenditure with either KFOF at −40 mm or 20 mm. Conclusions: The KFOF distance altered muscle activation in the SRT; however, no significant influence on the muscle usage strategy was found in the GXT. A higher rate of energy expenditure in the extreme pedaling positions of KFOF was observed in most amateur cyclists, so professional assistance for proper bike fitting was recommended.

A Wearable Bioimpedance Chest Patch for Real-Time Ambulatory Respiratory Monitoring.

This paper aims to introduce a wearable solution and a low-complexity algorithm for real-time continuous ambulatory respiratory monitoring. A wearable chest patch is designed using a bioimpedance (BioZ) sensor to measure the changes in chest impedance caused by breathing. Besides, a medical-grade infrared temperature sensor is utilized to monitor body temperature. The computing algorithm implemented on the patch enables computation of breath-by-breath respiratory rate and chest temperature in real-time. Two wireless communication protocols are included in the system, namely Bluetooth and Long Range (LoRa), which enable both short-range and long-range data transmission. The breathing rate measured in static (i.e., standing, sitting, supine, and lateral lying) and dynamic (i.e., walking, running, and cycling) positions by our device yielded an accuracy of more than 97.8% and 98.5% relative to the ground truth, respectively. Additionally, the device's performance is evaluated in real-world scenarios both indoors and outdoors. The proposed system is capable of measuring breathing rate throughout a variety of daily activities. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first BioZ-based wearable patch capable of detecting breath-by-breath respiratory rate in real-time remotely under unrestricted ambulatory conditions. This study establishes a strategy for continuous respiratory monitoring that could aid in the early detection of cardiopulmonary disorders in everyday life.

Aerodynamic Benefits by Optimizing Cycling Posture

An approach to aerodynamically optimizing cycling posture and reducing drag in an Ironman (IM) event was elaborated. Therefore, four commonly used positions in cycling were investigated and simulated for a flow velocity of 10 m/s and yaw angles of 0–20° using OpenFoam-based Nabla Flow CFD simulation software software. A cyclist was scanned using an IPhone 12, and a special-purpose meshing software BLENDER was used. Significant differences were observed by changing and optimizing the cyclist’s posture. Aerodynamic drag coefficient (CdA) varies by more than a factor of 2, ranging from 0.214 to 0.450. Within a position, the CdA tends to increase slightly at yaw angles of 5–10° and decrease at higher yaw angles compared to a straight head wind, except for the time trial (TT) position. The results were applied to the IM Hawaii bike course (180 km), estimating a constant power output of 300 W. Including the wind distributions, two different bike split models for performance prediction were applied. Significant time saving of roughly 1 h was found. Finally, a machine learning approach to deduce 3D triangulation for specific body shapes from 2D pictures was tested.

Variability of the Center of Mass in Trained Triathletes in Running After Cycling: A Preliminary Study Conducted in a Real-Life Setting.

While the sport of short-distance (Sprint) triathlon provides an opportunity to research the effect of the center of mass (CoM) when cycling and running, much remains to be done. The literature has failed to consistently or adequately report how changes to hand position influence subsequent running as inferred by the magnitude of CoM acceleration. The demands of cycle training in a drops and aerodynamic position followed by running remain unquantified in Sprint Distance triathlon. Thus, far data collected indicate that the cycle to run transition (T2) is important for overall race success. While many age-groupers participate in Sprint Distance triathlon, the lack of T2 based research make comparisons between cycle hand position and ensuing running difficult. The motion of the human body when cycling and running in triathlon can be described by the motion of its CoM in a local coordinate system. Unobtrusive wearable sensors have proven to be an informative resource to monitor the magnitude of CoM accelerations in running. However, the extent to which they are used in cycling is unclear. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to analyse the temporal magnitudes of CoM acceleration when cycling position and cadence is changed and to analyse these effects on running after cycling. Ten recreational triathletes completed two 20 km cycling trials at varied cadence in a drops position (parts of the handlebars that curve outward, CycleDrops) and an aerodynamic position (arms bent, forearms parallel to the ground, CycleAero) immediately followed by a 5 km run at self-selected pace. Torso kinematics by way of CoM acceleration magnitude were captured in a typical training setting using a triaxial accelerometer. CoM acceleration was quantified in m/s2 and variability was measured by the coefficient of variation (CV) and root mean square (RMS). Results from CycleAero indicated that acceleration of the CoM in longitudinal (CV = 1%) and mediolateral directions (CV = 3%) was significantly reduced (p < 0.001) compared to CycleDrops. As for rate of perceived exertion (RPE), a significant difference was observed with triathletes reporting higher values in CycleAero alongside a greater CoM acceleration magnitude in the anteroposterior direction. The CoM varied significantly from RunAero with less longitudinal (CV = 0.2, p < 0.001) and mediolateral acceleration observed (CV = 7.5%, p < 0.001) compared to RunDrops. Although greater longitudinal acceleration was observed in the initial 1 km epoch of RunAero, triathletes then seemingly adjusted their CoM trajectory to record lower magnitudes until completion of the 5 km run, completing the run quicker compared to RunDrops (22.56 min1 ± 0.2, 23.34 min1 ± 0.5, p < 0.001, CV = 1.3%). Coaches may look to use triaxial accelerometers to monitor performance in both cycling and running after cycling.

The biomechanics of maintaining effective force application across cycling positions

Cyclists are known to change their cycling position to reduce aerodynamic drag. Research has shown that this compromises their physical capacity to perform, but there is considerable inter-individual variability present. Proposed training specificity effects by cycling position do not explain all of the observations in the literature, so a search for other influencing parameters is warranted and might help practitioners to further optimise cycling position. This study captured full-body kinematics and 2D crank forces in 19 Time-Trial (TT) and 36 Road trained cyclists. Data in preferred and standardised cycling positions were systematically evaluated and showed that, amongst other kinematic differences, TT cyclists prefer a more forwardly positioned hip joint over Road cyclists. Despite their different setup, no effects in mechanical effectiveness were seen between the groups when tested in their preferred position. Across the standardised positions, the full cohort showed lower mechanical effectiveness when lowering trunk angle. However, significant group by position interactions showed this effect to be less extreme for the TT group. Kinematic data revealed that an increased pelvic tilt resulted in increased hip flexion and induced a more dorsiflexed ankle angle. In addition, linear hip position acutely responded to positional changes by moving forwards when the trunk angle was lowered. A more forwards hip position is thus associated with maintaining a better mechanical effectiveness in aerodynamic cycling positions. This suggests that there is potential to mitigate the effect of negative crank forces in aerodynamic positions by acutely adjusting the saddle placement to facilitate linear hip movement.

Are Unilateral Devices Valid for Power Output Determination in Cycling? Insights From the Favero Assioma Power Meter.

Some power meters are available in both bilateral and unilateral versions. However, despite the popularity of the latter, their validity remains unknown. We aimed to analyze the validity of a unilateral pedal power meter for estimating actual ("bilateral") power output (PO). Thirty-three male cyclists were assessed at different POs (steady cycling at 100-500 W, as well as all-out sprints), pedaling cadences (70, 85, and 100 repetitions·min-1), and cycling positions (seated and standing). The PO estimated by a left-only power meter (Favero Assioma Uno) was compared with the actual PO computed by a bilateral power meter (Favero Assioma Duo), and the level of bilateral asymmetry (most- vs least-powerful leg) with the latter system was also computed. Nonsignificant differences, high intraclass correlation coefficients (≥.90), and low coefficients of variation (consistently ≤5% except for low PO levels, ie, 5%-7% at 100 W) were found between Favero Assioma Uno and Favero Assioma Duo. However, although a strong intraclass correlation coefficient (.995) was found between both legs, asymmetry values of 4% to 6% were found for all conditions except when pedaling at the lowest PO (100 W), in which asymmetry increased up to 10% to 13%. Although cyclists tend to present some level of bilateral asymmetry during cycling (particularly at low PO), Favero Assioma Uno provides overall valid estimates of actual PO and is, therefore, an economical alternative to bilateral power meters. Caution is needed, however, when interpreting data at the individual level in cyclists with high levels of asymmetry.

Assessment of bike handling during cycling individual time trials with a novel analytical technique adapted from motorcycle racing

ABSTRACT A methodology to study bike handling of cyclists during individual time trials (ITT) is presented. Lateral and longitudinal accelerations were estimated from GPS data of professional cyclists (n = 53) racing in two ITT of different length and technical content. Acceleration points were plotted on a plot (g-g diagram) and they were enclosed in an ellipse. A correlation analysis was conducted between the area of the ellipse and the final ITT ranking. It was hypothesised that a larger area was associated with a better performance. An analytical model for the bike-cyclist system dynamics was used to conduct a parametric analysis on the influence of riding position on the shape of the g-g diagram. A moderate (n = 27, r = −0.40, p = 0.038) and a very large (n = 26, r = −0.83, p < 0.0001) association were found between the area of the enclosing ellipse and the final ranking in the two ITT. Interestingly, this association was larger in the shorter race with higher technical content. The analytical model suggested that maximal decelerations are highly influenced by the cycling position, road slope and speed. This investigation, for the first time, explores a novel methodology that can provide insights into bike handling, a large unexplored area of cycling performance.

Fit and Pressure Analysis of Cycling Short Sleeve Tops Using a 3D Virtual Garment System

This study aims to analyze short sleeve cycling tops from three brands for a change in garment fit and pressure depending on the static and cycling postures. To this end, it used a 3D virtual garment system to virtualize the garments. Further, a cross-section of the 3D virtual garment data was obtained, and the space length was measured in the design-X program to prove the objectivity of the 3D virtual garment. The results indicated that three brands had a large space length at the front than the back because of the bent posture in cycling. Therefore, appropriate ease was required for the waist and abdomen. Although there were various cutting lines of the bodice panel by brand, the design of the cutting lines should consider the changes in the surface to reflect the bent posture in cycling. The results of this experiment confirmed that the wrinkles present in the 3D virtual garment were reflected in the cross-section and that the space length was small in the high-stress area, as shown in red. Therefore, it was proven the stress of the 3D virtual garment could be used for 3D virtual garment evaluation.

Changes in the Trunk and Lower Extremity Kinematics Due to Fatigue Can Predispose to Chronic Injuries in Cycling.

Kinematic analysis of the cycling position is a determining factor in injury prevention and optimal performance. Fatigue caused by high volume training can alter the kinematics of the lower body and spinal structures, thus increasing the risk of chronic injury. However, very few studies have established relationships between fatigue and postural change, being these in 2D analysis or incremental intensity protocols. Therefore, this study aimed to perform a 3D kinematic analysis of pedaling technique in a stable power fatigue protocol 23 amateur cyclists (28.3 ± 8.4 years) participated in this study. For this purpose, 3D kinematics in hip, knee, ankle, and lumbar joints, and thorax and pelvis were collected at three separate times during the protocol. Kinematic differences at the beginning, middle, and end of the protocol were analyzed for all joints using one-dimensional statistical parametric mapping. Significant differences (p < 0.05) were found in all the joints studied, but not all of them occur in the same planes or the same phase of the cycle. Some of the changes produced, such as greater lumbar and thoracic flexion, greater thoracic and pelvic tilt, or greater hip adduction, could lead to chronic knee and lumbar injuries. Therefore, bike fitting protocols should be carried out in fatigue situations to detect risk factor situations.

Validity of the Favero Assioma Duo Power Pedal System for Measuring Power Output and Cadence.

Cycling power meters enable monitoring external loads and performance changes. We aimed to determine the concurrent validity of the novel Favero Assioma Duo (FAD) pedal power meter compared with the crank-based SRM system (considered as gold standard). Thirty-three well-trained male cyclists were assessed at different power output (PO) levels (100–500 W and all-out 15-s sprints), pedaling cadences (75–100 rpm) and cycling positions (seating and standing) to compare the FAD device vs. SRM. No significant differences were found between devices for cadence nor for PO during all-out efforts (p > 0.05), although significant but small differences were found for efforts at lower PO values (p < 0.05 for 100–500 W, mean bias 3–8 W). A strong agreement was observed between both devices for mean cadence (ICC > 0.87) and PO values (ICC > 0.81) recorded in essentially all conditions and for peak cadence (ICC > 0.98) and peak PO (ICC > 0.99) during all-out efforts. The coefficient of variation for PO values was consistently lower than 3%. In conclusion, the FAD pedal-based power meter can be considered an overall valid system to record PO and cadence during cycling, although it might present a small bias compared with power meters placed on other locations such as SRM.

Application Two-Dimensional Pattern Development of Cycling Tights based on the Three-Dimensional Body Scan Data of High School Male Cyclist

This study develops an optimal two-dimensional (2D) pattern from three-dimensional human scan data by con sidering the cycling posture and dermatome of high school male cyclists. By analyzing the body surface change in the cycling posture and considering the dermatome of the lower limbs, the optimal cutting line setting and the development of cycling tights for individual cyclists were presented to provide data that could be used in the clothing industry. We designed three cycling tights to solve the size unsuitability. 3D design 1 is a non-extension design based on the analysis of the 3D human body scan data, in which parts were connected diagonally from the front of the knee to the back of the knee. 3D design 2 removed both the front and back to reduce air resistance during cycling. 3D design 3 did not have a cutting line on the front panel because of the air resistance during cycling in the front area. We analyzed the garment pres sure for 8 points of lower body and performed a subjective evaluation of the 3D designed tights and the current cycling tights. The 3D design 1 in this study was well received in the omphalion, thigh, and hip area, while 3D design 3 was well received in the omphalion, thigh, hip, and bottom bands. Therefore, the LoNE of 3D design 1 was applied to the front, and the hip cutting line of 3D design 3 was applied to the back.