Influence of Electrically Powered Pedal Assistance on User-Induced Cycling Loads and Muscle Activity during Cycling

Applied Sciences

Eric Demeester¹  Jordi D’hondt²  Sien Dieltiens²  Carlos Jiménez-Peña³  SenneVan Loon⁴  Kurt Claeys⁵ 

[1] Department of Electromechanical Engineering, KU Leuven Campus Diepenbeek, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium;Department of Electromechanical Engineering, KU Leuven Technologiecampus Gent, 9000 Ghent, Belgium;Department of Materials Engineering, KU Leuven Technologiecampus Gent, 9000 Ghent, Belgium;Department of Physics, Universiteit Antwerpen, 2000 Antwerp, Belgium;Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, KU Leuven Campus Brugge, 8200 Bruges, Belgium;

关键词: electric bicycle;    load cell;    kinetics;    kinematics;    muscle activity;    5 bar linkage;   

DOI  :  10.3390/app11052032

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Bicycles with electrically powered pedal assistance (PA) show great potential as ecological alternatives for engine-based vehicles. There is plenty of research available about the influence of various bicycle parameters on cycling technique. Though, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, there is none about the influence of PA. In this study, a recreational bicycle is equipped with PA and unique instrumentation to measure the user-induced loads on seat, steer and pedals. Joint loading is derived in the sagittal plane from inverse dynamics and muscle activity of the lower limbs is recorded with an electromyography system integrated in cycling pants. An experiment is set up, in which volunteers cycle on an athletics track, with a varying level of PA and a varying seat height. An ANOVA is conducted to determine significant differences due to the level of PA and seat height and to analyze the interaction effect. No interaction effect was found and only differences due to the level of PA were significant. Knowledge about the influence of PA provides insights into (i) electric bicycle design; (ii) the usage of electric bicycle for physically challenged people; (iii) the usage of electric bicycles as a rehabilitation tool.

【 授权许可】

Unknown