Computational analysis of a relation between cleat position and cycling performance

Abstract

Para-cyclists that use below-knee prosthesis in both legs do not have the healthy characteristic information of their feet. To decide the cleat position, they have to consider the relation between the position and pedaling performance. In this study, angular velocity and kinetic energy were evaluated when the cleat position was changed. Two dimensional lower extremity model was used in this study. The joint torque was generated using a central pattern generator (CPG), and the parameters of CPG at a certain cleat position were optimized by a genetic algorithm. As a result, there were some conditions where higher angular velocity and lower work were obtained. Therefore, an adequate cleat position could be decided to suit to a physical characteristic of a para-cyclist, and consider the other kinematic or kinetic quantities in pedaling performance.