RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE MECHANICAL EFFECTIVENESS OF PEDALLING AND THE CYCLE ERGOMETER SADDLE HEIGHT

Abstract

Cycling is a sport that integrates man‘s physical condition and the technical parameters of the cycle. The position of the body in relation to the cycle is particularly important for obtaining results of this physical activity. Together with the other factors determining the right upright posture saddle height is also important. We studied the relationship between the Monark 618-E cycle ergometer saddle height and mechanical effectiveness when pedaling. For this purpose, we chose the Wingate cycle ergometer anaerobic test. We studied 8 men volunteers, aged between 19 to 25 years, all of them students at the National Sports Academy “Vasil Levski” in Sofia, with major - cycling coach. The research demonstrates that the lower height of the saddle compared to the one recommended in the “Heel” method, leads to lower mechanical effectiveness of pedaling in terms of W/kg body weight. This affects both the maximal and the average power of pedaling, with statistical significance of 99% deter-mined by Mann-Whitney non-parametric test. Relative to the literature discussed, the study presents new evidence of the height of the cycle saddle for mechanical pedaling effectiveness.

Keywords

• wingate
• anaerobic test
• saddle height
• mechanical effectiveness
• maximal power