Discomfort, pain and fatigue levels of 160 cyclists after a kinematic bike-fitting method: An experimental study

Robson Dias Scoz, Cesar Ferreira Amorim, Thiago Espindola, Mateus Santiago, Jose Joao Baltazar Mendes, Paulo Rui De Oliveira, Luciano Maia Alves Ferreira, Romulo Nolasco Brito

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

8 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Objective To analyse rider's subjective responses after a standardised bicycle ergonomic adjustment method. Methods Experimental study of 160 healthy, amateur mountain bikers analysed previously and 30 days after a bike-fitting session. The main outcome measures were subjective comfort level (Feeling Scale, FEEL), fatigue (OMINI Scale) and pain (Visual Analogue Scale, VAS). Results All variables demonstrated statistical significance between groups pre and post bike-fit session (p<0001). FEEL, OMNI and VAS-knee demonstrated large effect sizes (d=1.30; d=1.39 and d=0.86, respectively). VAS-hands, VAS-neck and VAS-back indicated moderate effect size (d=0.58; d=0.52 and d=0.43, respectively). VAS-groin and VAS-ankle indicated a small size effect (d=0.46 and d=0.43, respectively). Conclusions Overall discomfort, fatigue and pain in healthy mountain biker adults improved according to all three scales. The major improvements in pain levels were detected on the knee, hands, back and neck compared with presession values. Groin and ankle pain had smaller improvements but were still significant. Future clinical trials should address the bias effects of this experimental study.

Original languageEnglish
Article numbere001096
JournalBMJ Open Sport and Exercise Medicine
Volume7
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 30 Aug 2021

Keywords

  • biomechanics
  • cycling
  • fatigue
  • sports & exercise medicine

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