Evaluation of Bicycle Pedaling Efficiency Focused on Movement of Ankle

Abstract

In this study, joint torque of lower limbs in bicycle pedaling were investigated numerically. An approximation method of relationship between the angle of the ankle and normal force in the rotation direction of a bicycle crank while pedaling was investigated. A linear relationship between ankle angle and normal force in the rotation direction of a bicycle crank was applied to calculate positions of lower limb joints. Cycling performance tests were carried out with six amateur male cyclists as subjects. Via Nirone 7-ALU (Bianchi Corp.) was applied to for the performance tests. Six subjects were divided into two groups according to a different ankle angle movement patterns. Subject A, B, C, E and F were divided into the first group. Subject D was divided into the second group. Positive crank torque time of second group was longer than positive crank torque time of first group.