Wide Saddle Research Articles

The Effect of Bicycle Saddle Widths on Saddle Pressure in Female Cyclists.

Choosing an unsuitable bicycle saddle increases the saddle pressure and discomfort during cycling. Women contract sports injuries more easily than men during cycling owing to their anatomy. To investigate the effect of saddle widths on the saddle pressure in female cyclists. Ten healthy women with an average age of 20.7 ± 1.3 years, height of 162 ± and 5.9 cm, weight of 56.1 ± 7.5 kg, and a sciatic bone width of 15.5 ± 1.4 cm were recruited for this study. The distributions of saddle pressure for four different saddle widths (i.e., narrow, moderate, wide, and self-chosen) were recorded using a saddle pressure mat. Participants were instructed to pedal steadily with a frequency of 90 RPM and a load of 150 watts. Thirty seconds of riding data was randomly retrieved for analysis. The trials were conducted with a counter-balanced design to minimize random errors. One-way repeated measures ANOVA was used to compare the saddle pressure of different saddle widths, and the significance level was set at α = 0.05. When wide saddles were used, the maximum and average pressure on the right surface of the posterior ischium were lower than those with narrow (p = 0.001, p = 0.012) and moderate (p = 0.016, p = 0.019) saddles. The area of pressure on the pubic bone was smaller when using a wide saddle than when using narrow (p = 0.005) and moderate (p = 0.018) saddles, and the area of pressure on the right posterior sciatic bone was larger under the wide saddle than under the narrow (p = 0.017) and moderate (p = 0.036) saddles. The average force was greater with the moderate saddle than with the wide (p = 0.008) and self-chosen (p = 0.025) saddles. Using a saddle with a width that is longer than the width of the cyclist's ischium by 1 cm can effectively improve the distribution of saddle pressure during riding, while providing better comfort.

The Effect of Bicycle Saddle Widths on Saddle Pressure in Female Cyclists

Choosing an unsuitable bicycle saddle increases the saddle pressure and discomfort during cycling. Women contract sports injuries more easily than men during cycling owing to their anatomy. To investigate the effect of saddle widths on the saddle pressure in female cyclists. Ten healthy women with an average age of 20.7 ± 1.3 years, height of 162 ± and 5.9 cm, weight of 56.1 ± 7.5 kg, and a sciatic bone width of 15.5 ± 1.4 cm were recruited for this study. The distributions of saddle pressure for four different saddle widths (i.e., narrow, moderate, wide, and self-chosen) were recorded using a saddle pressure mat. Participants were instructed to pedal steadily with a frequency of 90 RPM and a load of 150 watts. Thirty seconds of riding data was randomly retrieved for analysis. The trials were conducted with a counter-balanced design to minimize random errors. One-way repeated measures ANOVA was used to compare the saddle pressure of different saddle widths, and the significance level was set at α = 0.05. When wide saddles were used, the maximum and average pressure on the right surface of the posterior ischium were lower than those with narrow (p = 0.001, p = 0.012) and moderate (p = 0.016, p = 0.019) saddles. The area of pressure on the pubic bone was smaller when using a wide saddle than when using narrow (p = 0.005) and moderate (p = 0.018) saddles, and the area of pressure on the right posterior sciatic bone was larger under the wide saddle than under the narrow (p = 0.017) and moderate (p = 0.036) saddles. The average force was greater with the moderate saddle than with the wide (p = 0.008) and self-chosen (p = 0.025) saddles. Using a saddle with a width that is longer than the width of the cyclist’s ischium by 1 cm can effectively improve the distribution of saddle pressure during riding, while providing better comfort.

Трутни медоносных пчел башкирской популяции среднерусского подвида на севере ареала

Specialists conducted local molecular and genetic studies of working individuals of honeybees in apiaries of the northern forest-steppe zone, covering the area of the Bashkir population of the Central Russian subspecies of honeybees, during which some reserves of Apis mellifera mellifera were identified. However, there are no detailed studies on the dynamics of the morphotypic and phenotypic structure and taxonomic assessment of drones in this territory. The material for this work is based on field studies conducted in the Askin, Baltachevsky, Burayevsky, Kaltasinsky, Karaidelsky, Krasnokamsky, Mishkinsky, Nurimanovsky, Tatyshlinsky and Yanaulsky districts of the northern forest-steppe zone of the Republic of Bashkortostan in 2017–2020. The object of research was the drones of honeybees. In total, more than 17 thousand copies of drones were collected and processed. The paper uses the method of F. Ruttner on the assessment of morphotypes. The studies were carried out on dry samples of bees. To determine the color of the hairs on the abdomen, the color scale of Prf. Goetze was used. As a result of the study of the phenotypes of honeybee drones, based on the analysis of morphotypes and color of the hairs on the abdomen, the distribution of three phenotypes was established (O-dark cuticle (brown – coffee), Is – a wide saddle – shaped stripe (black-smoky), 2R-two yellow rings on the cuticle (brown-coffee)) on apiaries of the northern forest-steppe zone, forming the Bashkir population of the Central Russian subspecies. It was revealed that all morphotypes were characterized by the presence of hair color corresponding to the standard of the Central Russian subspecies. The phenotypic diversity of bees living in the studied apiaries is determined, first of all, by the complex influence of the anthropogenic factor. At the same time, the timely implementation of breeding programs for the conservation and breeding of native bees, a certain geographical isolation of the northern forest-steppe zone, the isolation of apiaries will preserve the subpopulation structure of bees in this territory.

The Effect of Tree Width on Thoracolumbar and Limb Kinematics, Saddle Pressure Distribution, and Thoracolumbar Dimensions in Sports Horses in Trot and Canter.

This study evaluated the effect of saddle tree width on thoracolumbar and limb kinematics, saddle pressure distribution, and thoracolumbar epaxial musculature dimensions. Correctly fitted saddles were fitted by a Society of Master Saddler Qualified Saddle Fitter in fourteen sports horses (mean ± SD age 12 ± 8.77 years, height 1.65 ± 0.94 m), and were altered to one width fitting wider and narrower. Horses were equipped with skin markers, inertial measurement units, and a pressure mat beneath the saddle. Differences in saddle pressure distribution, as well as limb and thoracolumbosacral kinematics between saddle widths were investigated using a general linear model with Bonferroni adjusted alpha (p ≤ 0.05). Compared with the correct saddle width, in trot, in the wide saddle, an 8.5% increase in peak pressures was found in the cranial region of the saddle (p = 0.003), a 14% reduction in thoracolumbar dimensions at T13 (p = 0.02), and a 6% decrease in the T13 range of motion in the mediolateral direction (p = 0.02). In the narrow saddle, a 14% increase in peak pressures was found in the caudal region of the saddle (p = 0.01), an 8% decrease in the range of motion of T13 in the mediolateral direction (p = 0.004), and a 6% decrease in the vertical direction (p = 0.004) of T13. Compared with the correct saddle width, in canter, in the wide saddle, axial rotation decreased by 1% at T5 (p = 0.03) with an 5% increase at T13 (p = 0.04) and a 5% increase at L3 (p = 0.03). Peak pressures increased by 4% (p = 0.002) in the cranial region of the wide saddle. Altering the saddle fit had an effect on thoracolumbar kinematics and saddle pressure distribution; hence, correct saddle fit is essential to provide unhindered locomotion.

The effect of saddle nose width and cutout on saddle pressure distribution and perceived discomfort in women during ergometer cycling

The objectives were 1) to design and produce two novel unpadded bicycle saddles with a wide/medium width and partial nose cutout; 2) to investigate the responses on pressure distribution and perceived discomfort in female cyclists. For comparison, a standard saddle was also tested. Nineteen female cyclists pedaled on an ergometer cycle for 20 min with each saddle in a counterbalanced order. A pressure mat measured saddle interface pressure. Discomfort ratings were collected using a visual analogue scale. Total mean saddle pressure remained similar across saddles. The wide saddle increased anterior and decreased posterior mean saddle pressure as compared with the standard (p < .002) and the medium saddle (p < .001). Significantly increased ischial tuberosity discomfort was found for the novel saddles (p < .001), while crotch discomfort was not significantly different between saddles. The medium width saddle appeared to be the best compromise since increased crotch discomfort was avoided and saddle pressures were redistributed. Such design may be suggested as an alternative to traditional saddles for women reporting discomfort in the perineal region.

Former plateau ice fields in the Godeanu Mountains, Southern Carpathians: First evidence of glaciated peneplains in the Carpathians

The existence of plateau ice fields in the Southern Carpathians has long been suggested due to the widespread presence of the Borăscu surface in the region. The Borăscu surface is a peneplain consisting of flat plateaus in the elevation range of 1800–2200 m a.s.l. It is present throughout the Southern Carpathians with the most typical appearance in the Godeanu Mountains. These plateaus could have served as ice accumulation sites during the Pleistocene glaciations as they were well above the steady-state equilibrium-line altitude (ELA0). Direct geomorphological evidence on the existence of plateau ice fields, and thus well founded reconstructions, are absent due to the lack of glacial landforms on the plateaus. In order to test the existence of plateau ice fields a previous geomorphological survey and theoretical ice surface profiles, based on a steady-state perfectly plastic ice flow model, were used. Based on these methods maps and three-dimensional surface models of the former glaciers were created. The ELA0s of the paleoglaciers were estimated by the accumulation-area ratio (AAR) method. According to our results, three major ice fields on the central plateaus and several smaller ice fields on wide saddles were present in the Godeanu Mountains during the maximal glaciation. The ice fields fed numerous surrounding valley glaciers. Several independent valley and cirque glaciers, completely separated from the ice fields, were also present further from the central mass of the mountain range. The average ELA0 of the northern, 1855 ± 2 m a.s.l., and the southern, 1700 ± 2 m a.s.l., glaciers differed greatly. We suggest that the surprisingly high average ELA0 of the northern glaciers was mostly caused by the missing lower sections of these paleoglaciers from our reconstructions, due to the destroyed terminal glacial landforms. However, the terminal glacial landforms are quite well preserved in the southern valleys. Thus, the average ELA0 of the southern paleoglaciers was suitable to correlate the maximal glaciation of the Godeanu Mountains with the maximal glaciation of the neighbouring Retezat Mountains.

Relicts of the Pleistocene Po Plain on the Western and Southern slopes of Turin Hill (NW Italy)

A detailed geological survey of the Southern slope of Turin Hill reveals a Pleistocene terraced fluvial succession consisting of flat surfaces separated by scarps with associated fluvial clayey–silty and gravelly sediments. This succession is not linked to the present N–S hilly streams, but is instead related to major Pleistocene W–E rivers. The collected regional data suggest an ancient trend of the Po River flowing across Turin Hill, prior to its present course to the north of the hill. The Pleistocene terraced fluvial succession of the Western slope of Turin Hill is also mapped, based on a previous survey to allow a full reconstruction of the ancient rivers. The collected regional data and the petrographic analysis show that this succession is related to an ancient tributary of the Po River (Dora Riparia River). Wide saddles of the same river have been mapped on the main watershed between the two slopes of Turin Hill. The capping of soils less evolved with decreasing elevation over the fluvial sediments and landforms indicates that the whole terraced succession covers a large time range (Middle–Upper Pleistocene). The reported geologic successions and the current morphology of the relief result from the uplift and deformation of the Pleistocene Po Plain and the Dora Riparia Plain that were shaped at the south of Turin Hill. The proposed age/elevation relationships for the mapped terraces suggest a remarkable uplift of Turin Hill during the late Quaternary.

Reduction in Motorcyclist Pollutant Exposure Intensity via the Aid of a Porous Front Fender and Rear Vent

Scooters are the most common form of transport for commuters in Taiwan, and their emissions account for the majority of the airborne pollutants present in metropolitan areas. These pollutants have a serious adverse effect on the health of motorcyclists and their passengers, and thus effective methods are required for minimizing the pollutant exposure intensity. Accordingly, the present study performs numerical simulations to investigate the pollutant dispersion efficiency of four different front fender and vent designs, namely (1) no fender spoiler and vents on two sides of scooter frame; (2) a fender spoiler and vents on two sides of scooter frame; (3) no fender spoiler and vents beneath scooter frame; and (4) a fender spoiler and vents beneath scooter frame. For each design configuration, the simulations consider two different fender porosity ratios, namely 50% and 70%. In addition, the effectiveness of a rear-mounted exhaust suppressor and various saddle designs in reducing the exhaust exposure concentration is also briefly examined. Overall, the simulation results show that, compared to a conventional fender/vent design (i.e., zero fender porosity, no fender spoiler, and no vents), the use of a fender with a porosity ratio of 70% and two vents beneath the scooter frame reduces the exhaust exposure concentration by 36% given no fender spoiler and 43% given the use of a fender spoiler. Furthermore, it is shown that the addition of an exhaust suppressor to the rear of the saddle or the use of a wide saddle width also achieves a moderate improvement in the pollutant dispersion efficiency.

The influence of different saddle pads on force and pressure changes beneath saddles with excessively wide trees

This study was performed to investigate the forces and pressure distribution under different saddle pads when an excessively wide saddle is used. Eighteen sound horses were ridden on a treadmill at walk and trot. The horses were equipped with a dressage saddle with an excessively wide saddle tree and four different pads (gel, leather, foam and reindeer-fur) used sequentially. For comparison, one measurement was made without a saddle pad. A pressure mat under the pad was used for the collection of kinetic data. Kinematics from the right fore-hoof were required to synchronise the data with the stride cycles. To identify any differences between measurements with and without saddle pads, the maximum overall force (MOF) and pressure distribution in longitudinal and transversal directions were calculated. The saddle pressures and MOF showed significant intra-horse effects. At walk, the foam and gel pads significantly reduced the MOF in 44.4% of cases, whereas at the trot, the gel and reindeer-fur pads significantly reduced MOF in 61.1% of subjects. The leather pad increased MOF in the highest number of horses at walk (27.8%) and trot (33.3%), although these results did not reach significance after inter-horse effects were included. The choice of a saddle pad to improve the fit of an excessively wide saddle should therefore be based on highly individual criteria for each horse.

Threatened fishes of the world: Crystallaria cincotta Welsh and Wood 2008 (Percidae)

Common name: Diamond Darter. Conservation status: Listed as a “species of special concern” by West Virginia Division of Natural Resources. Extirpated from Tennessee (Etnier and Starnes 1993), Kentucky (Burr and Warren 1986), and Ohio (Trautman 1957). Systematics: Sister species of Crystallaria asprella (Wood and Raley 2000; Morrison et al. 2006). Identification: C. cincotta is overall translucent with silvery white ventral side of the body and head and four wide olive-brown saddles on the back and upper side. Preorbital blotch and 12–14 mid-lateral blotches along side (Welsh and Wood 2008). Longest known individual is 77 mm SL (Welsh and Wood 2008). D1 11–13 (12), D2 11–15 (13), A I, 11–13 (13), lateralline scales 83–93 (87), cheek scale rows 1–4 (2), opercle scale rows 1–4 (2). Pelvic fins with falcate posterior margin. Drawing by SAW, 75 mm SL male, Elk River, WV. Distribution: Extant population in the Elk River of Kanawha River drainage, WV (Cincotta and Hoeft 1987; Welsh and Wood 2008). The range previously included the Muskingum River, OH, Ohio River, OH, Green River, KY, and the Cumberland River drainage, KY and TN. Abundance: Rare, known from 12 individuals (Welsh and Wood 2008). Habitat and ecology: Collected from riffles and pools with <1.5 m depth, moderate flow, and sand, gravel, and cobble substrates (Osier 2005). Based on habitats used by its sister species (C. asprella), the Diamond Darter may also use areas of deeper pool and run habitats. Reproduction: George et al. (1996) reported on reproduction of the sister species, C. asprella; however, no information is available on reproduction of C. cincotta. Threats: Grandmaison et al. (2003) reported siltation from current landuse practices as a major concern for conservation of Crystallaria in the Elk River drainage. Conservation action: No current conservation action has been implemented. Environ Biol Fish (2009) 84:191–192 DOI 10.1007/s10641-008-9405-z

The influence of the width of the saddle tree on the forces and the pressure distribution under the saddle

As there is no statistical evidence that saddle fit influences the load exerted on a horse’s back this study was performed to assess the hypothesis that the width of the tree significantly alters the pressure distribution on the back beneath the saddle. Nineteen sound horses were ridden at walk and trot on a treadmill with three saddles differing only in tree width. Kinetic data were recorded by a sensor mat. A minimum of 14 motion cycles were used in each trial. The saddles were classified into four groups depending on fit. For each horse, the saddle with the lowest overall force (LOF) was determined. Saddles were classified as “too-narrow” if they were one size (2 cm) narrower than the LOF saddle, and “too-wide” if they were one size (2 cm) wider than the LOF saddle. Saddles two sizes wider than LOF saddles were classified as “very-wide”. In the group of narrow saddles, the pressure in the caudal third (walk 0.63 N/cm 2 ± 0.10; trot 1.08 N/cm 2 ± 0.26) was significantly higher compared to the LOF saddles (walk 0.50 N/cm 2 ± 0.09; trot 0.86 N/cm 2 ± 0.28). In the middle transversal third, the pressure of the wide saddles (walk 0.73 N/cm 2 ± 0.06; trot 1.52 N/cm 2 ± 0.19) and very-wide saddles (walk 0.77 N/cm 2 ± 0.06; trot 1.57 N/cm 2 ± 0.19) was significantly higher compared to LOF saddles (walk 0.65 N/cm 2 ± 0.10/ 0.63 N/cm 2 ± 0.11; trot 1.33 N/cm 2 ± 0.22/1.27 N/cm 2 ± 0.20). This study demonstrates that the load under poorly fitting saddles is distributed over a smaller area than under properly fitting saddles, leading to potentially harmful pressures peaks.

Evaluation of pressure distribution under a too wide saddle with different saddle pads

Evaluation of pressure distribution under a too wide saddle with different saddle pads

Bicycle saddle shape affects penile blood flow.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of bicycle saddle shape on penile blood flow during cycling. Penile blood flow was measured using a laser Doppler flowmeter in 20 potent male volunteers. In a counterbalanced, crossover design, measurements were taken in the standing and sitting positions, on either a narrow unpadded or wide unpadded saddle, before and after cycling for 5 min. Before cycling, penile blood flow (ml/min/100 g tissue) was significantly decreased from 1.6+/-0.7 to 1.5+/-0.7 (P=0.010) on the wide saddle and from 1.7+/-0.6 to 1.0+/-0.5 (P<0.001) on the narrow saddle. After 5 min of cycling, the changes in penile blood flow on the wide and narrow saddles were 0.34+/-0.49 and -0.38+/-0.49, respectively (P<0.001). The narrow saddle is associated with more significant reductions in penile blood flow and could be a source of blunt perineal trauma, potentially leading to erectile dysfunction.

The Site and Growth of Paris

IT is impossible now to estimate the ultimate effect of enemy occupation on the future of Paris. The history of the city, to a greater degree perhaps than that of any other capital, has been closely identified with that of France; the mere temporary isolation of a portion of the country, apart from changes imposed by transient re-orientation of economic activity, must affect its development. The final result may be a measure of that industrial and administrative decentralization already advocated in some quarters before the war, thus lessening.the preponderant role of Paris in French life. An outline of the history of Paris and the trends apparent in its development at the outbreak of war may give us a basis for interpreting future changes. The following notes merely assemble the main conclusions of Professor A. Demangeon's 'Paris: la ville et sa banlieue,' 1934, and of other authorities on the history of the city quoted at the end of this paper. The successive stages in the expansion of Paris from its nucleus on an island in the Seine, which are still clearly embodied in its plan, are closely related to the topography of its site. Its rise to the position of capital of France and to the front rank of world cities has also been promoted by its relationship to an area far wider than its actual bounds, but much more by the deliberate policy of its rulers. Though geographical advantages are emphasized below, it must be understood that these by themselves have not made inevitable the predominant position of Paris in French life. The characteristic structure of the Paris basin has often been described, and it is necessary here to touch only upon those features which are related to the city's growth. Paris lies near the centre of the bowl-shaped depression of Tertiary rocks deposited upon an older series which emerge on the surface beyond its circumference: the Ardennes to the north-east, the Vosges to the east, the Massif Central to the south, and the uplands of Normandy to the west. The rocks near the centre are generally horizontal, the limestones intercalated with clays and sands. Towards the east, on the limits of the basin, the structure is characterized by roughly concentric belts of alternating uplands and lowlands, the more resistant limestones outcropping with eastward-facing scarps. Across these belts the rivers have cut narrow valleys which deepen as the surface rises. As the centre is approached the rivers assume flatter pro? files, their courses across the plateau become more sinuous, and their incised valleys broader. The outer rim of older rocks is interrupted by four wide saddles, and the relation of these to the river system is important. The Lorraine saddle is close to the upper Marne: the plateau of Langres lies between the upper Seine and the Saone; the plain of Beauce opens a way to the middle Loire; and the Poitou gap connects with the lowlands of Gasc ony Thus access to the basin has never been difficult, and the routes, which converge upon Paris, have simplified the task of the builders of roads, canals, and railways. The variety of rocks of the central dissected plateau, exposed by diluvial erosion and the work of the rivers, has produced a corresponding variety in