Dynamic Simulation of Pedaling a Bicycle Ergometer using Human Muscle Characteristics

Abstract

A numerical calculation method of dynamic motion analysis is used to predict the characteristics of pedaling performance during bicycle ergometry. For this analysis, a simulation model which has a 3-link mechanism and is driven by muscles at waist and knee joint, is proposed. A two element muscle model is considered, that is, one which involves the contractile component #(CC) and parallel elastic component #(PEC). Two types of monoarticular muscles and biarticular muscles are also considered in the model. This paper compares experimetal results and results of analysis of a bicycle ergometer, and clarifies bicycle ergonometer pedaling effects on CC characteristics and PEC characteristics of monoarticular muscles and biarticular muscles.