We assessed muscle activity levels exerted with leg extensors during cycling on a flat road, and 3% or 6% gradient slope roads, using three different support settings; no support (OFF), economy support (ECO), and power support (POW), with an electrically power-assisted bicycle. Muscle activity levels estimated by electromyogram recordings of leg extensors during cycling were compared with those used for daily physical activities such as chair-standing and stair-climbing/descending. Muscle activity levels for OFF at the 6% gradient slope were 1.7-2.0 times greater than those used for chair-standing, and those for ECO and POW at 3% and 6%-gradient slopes were at the same levels as those used for chair-standing. However, muscle activity levels for OFF, ECO and POW on the flat road and POW at the 3%-gradient slope were lower than those used for chair-standing (p<0.05). The results suggest that the electrical power-assist function may lower activity levels of leg extensor muscles during daily town cycling.
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