Leeds Beckett University - City Campus,
Woodhouse Lane,
LS1 3HE
Centre for Human Performance
Cycling Science and Performance
This expanding research area investigates several different aspects of cycling performance and function across biomechanics, physiology and performance analysis with the aim of providing coaches, practitioners and cyclists with useful information to inform and improve practice.
The Challenge
The sport of cycling encompasses several disciplines, each of which pose some unique challenges in multiple aspects of sports science. A cyclist interacts with the bicycle, whilst conforming to norms and regulations, varying terrain, race distances and other cyclists. This results in many questions that sports science is well placed to investigate and answer.
Our specific research investigates the interaction of handlebar and saddle position with cycling biomechanics; the role of the calf muscles and Achilles tendon on cycling efficiency; the interaction of individual pelvic anatomy and saddle design on lower body mechanics and comfort; the relationships between tactics, physiology and race performance in the track Omnium. This supports a wider interest in multiple aspects of cycling performance related to specific training and adaptation mechanisms, race profiling and performance prediction, gross efficiency and bike positioning.
The Approach
Multi-disciplinary methodologies are utilised to measure cycling specific lab-based and field-based variables across biomechanics, physiology and performance analysis depending on the exact nature of the research question.
The Impact
Our developing research aims to enhance the discipline specific scientific knowledge, inform best practice for applied practitioners and coaches, and to provide objective information for cyclists where appropriate.
Outputs and recognition
- Walker J., Cronin N., Jongerius N., Wainwright B., Bissas N. (2019). Effects of fascicle length filtering on muscle-tendon behaviour during cycling. ECSS Conference Presentation
- Jongerius, N., Walker, J., Wainwright, B., Bissas, A. (2018). Differences in Strength & Power profiles between Road and Time Trial cyclists. In: 4th Science & Cycling Conference, 28-29 June 2017, Düsseldorf, Germany
- Jongerius, N., Wainwright, B., Bissas, A. (2018) A comparison of marker set use in assessing kinematic variables in cycling. 23rd Annual Congress of the European College of Sports Science
- Hynd, J and Cooley, D and Graham, M (2017) Saddle tilt during uphill cycling improves perceived comfort levels with corresponding effects on saddle pressure in highly trained cyclists. In: 4th Science & Cycling Conference, 28-29 June 2017, Düsseldorf, Germany
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