Cycling Biomechanics: Muscle Engagement, Motion, and Aging Effects

This assignment provides a detailed analysis of cycling biomechanics, focusing on muscle activity, motion, and the effects of aging. It identifies the muscles involved in different phases of pedaling, such as the gluteus maximus, semimembranosus, biceps femoris, and vastus lateralis, and explains their roles in hip extension, knee flexion, and ankle movements. The assignment also examines various motions during cycling, including yaw, pedaling, bending, and leaning, and how they relate to body mechanics. Furthermore, it addresses the functional implications of aging on cycling, such as decreased muscle mass, deteriorating eyesight, and arthritis, suggesting potential treatments and adaptations to mitigate these effects. The analysis is supported by references to relevant studies on muscle activity and contraction mechanisms, enhancing the credibility and depth of the investigation. Desklib provides access to similar solved assignments and past papers for students.

Cycling.
Institutional affiliation
Course name
Student name
date

Question C.
N
o
Activity
parts/steps
Alternative
methods
Muscular
requirement.
Strength
demands
(x/5)
Sensory and
other skills
Movement
adaptation for
diagnosis.
1 Stabilizing
the spine
and
maintaining
a posture.
N/A Multifidi
Quadratus
Lumborum
Erectors spinae
Rectus abdominus
Rectus oblique
4/5
4/5
3/5
2/5
2/5
Back
extension.
Back
extension.
Back
extension
Back
extension.
Back
extension
Stabilizing the
spinal cord
and
maintaining a
posture.
2 Fixing the
upper body
on
handlebars.
N/A Latissimus dorsi
Trapezium
4/5
4/5
Shoulders
extension
and
abduction.
Shoulders
extension
and
abduction.
Stabilizes the
shoulders and
the spine.
3 Pedaling:
the push
power
phase and
the pull up
stroke
phase.
N/A Gluteus maximus
Semimembranosu
s
Biceps femoris
4/5
4/5
4/5
Hip
extensor
Knee
extensor
Knee
flexion and
hip
extension.
Push power
phase, from
12 o’clock to
5 o’clock
Push power
phase, from 1
o’clock to 7
o’clock
Push power
phase, from 1
o’clock to 7
o’clock.

Vastus medialis
Rectus femoris
Vastus lateralis
Gastrocnemius
Soleus
Tibialis anteriors
3/5
3/5
2/5
1/5
1/5
2/5
Knee
extensor
Knee
extensor
and hip
extension.
Knee
extensor.
Ankle
planter
flexors
Ankle
planter
flexors
Ankle
dorsiflexors.
Pull-upstroke
phase and the
push power
phase, from
11 o’clock to
3 o’clock.
Pull-upstroke
phase and the
push power
phase, from 9
o’clock to 3
o’clock.
Pull-upstroke
phase and the
push power
phase, from
11 o’clock to
3 o’clock.
Pull-upstroke
phase and the
push power
phase, from 2
o’clock to 7
o’clock
Push power
phase, 2
o’clock to 3
o’clock.
Pull power
phase, 9
o’clock to 10
o’clock.
Question D

The following motions are seen when pedaling/cycling; bounce, twists, yaw, pedaling,
bend, and lean. The yaw motion is the heading angle that both the rider and the bicycle attain
together with respect to the ground plane. Pedaling is a motion that is defined by two or more
than two components. Basically, it is the motion of the feet rotating the pedals and the legs
follows the suit. The spine bends laterally, it is always connected to the vertical pedaling
component. The head, upper body and shoulders lean bilaterally with the respect to rear frame.
There is a rotation of the shoulders about the torso axis. This is linked to both the pedaling
frequency and steering motion. The knees bounce with the back straightened while the head
nods. The nodding is twice the pedaling frequency. The knees also move laterally and relatively
to bicycle frame that is, both in the opposing and same direction. Lastly, there are random head
motions and head twists while cycling (Baum, 2013; Huxley, 2016).
Question F

The Functional
Implication
The why The why for
why
The treatment
(to do)
Upgrade or
downgrade
Gets so tired
when cycling
The reduced
muscle mass and
the decreased
cardio-
respiratory
functioning.
The result of
aging process.
Take longer
recoveries after a
long and
prolonged
training session.
Ensure that the
meals he takes
are rich in high
quality
carbohydrates.
Easier
 Train for
lesser
hours.
Harder
 Train for
longer
hours
with
longer
recovery.
Hits his toes on
the driveway
edges.
Deterioration of
his eye sight.
The result of
aging process.
Gets a consult
with an
ophthalmologist.
Ensure his foods
are rich in
vitamin A.
Get glasses to
enhance her eye
sight.
Has old age
arthritis.
The cartilages in
the joints
calcify. This
stiffens them
making them
The result of the
aging process.
Cycling sessions
should be
reduced.
The meals
should have
Easier
 Train for
lesser
hours.

less flexible. calcium or he
should take
calcium
supplements.
Harder
 Train for
longer
hours
with
longer
recovery
References

Baum, B. S., & Li, L. (2013). Lower extremity muscle activities during cycling are influenced by
load and frequency. Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology, 13(2), 181-190.
Huxley, H. E. (2016). The mechanism of muscular contraction. Science, 164(3886), 1356-1365.