Impact of pilot and stoker torso angles in tandem para-cycling aerodynamics

Mannion, Paul; Toparlar, Yasin; Blocken, Bje Bert; Hajdukiewicz, Magdalena; Andrianne, Thomas; Clifford, Eoghan

doi:10.1007/s12283-019-0301-x

Cited by 10 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 30 publications

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“…In general, studies have investigated training sessions and effects on hemodynamic adaptations, 9,10 physiological responses, 11 cardiac structure and function, 12 as well as aerodynamic drag and setup posture. 3,[13][14][15] Identifying performance variables associated with VI classification may be helpful in bringing equality in vision sports. 16 Impairments have already been found in the performance of different sport classes in other vision sports, [6][7][8][17][18][19][20] demonstrating a relevant impact on competitive performance.…”

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confidence: 99%

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Time-Trial Performance of Para-Cycling Athletes With Visual Impairment in Tandem Competitions

Lima¹,

Kons²,

Detanico³

et al. 2021

Am J Phys Med Rehabil

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Identifying performance variables associated with visual impairment classification in para-cycling is one of the steps to improve the evidence-based classification system, and consequently, bring equality in Paralympic sports. Thus, this retrospective study aimed to analyze a 1-km tandem-track race performance among para-cyclists (male and female) with different visual impairment degrees (B1, B2, and B3) and to verify the retrospective performance over 20 yrs in all sport classes. The data were extracted from 427 para-cyclists (251 male and 176 female) who competed in the Para-Cycling World Championships and Paralympic Games. The following performance variables were analyzed: time trial, velocity, pace strategies, and number of medals. A one-way analysis of variance was used to compare performance variables among athletes of different sport classes (B1, B2, and B3) and χ2 tests were implemented to test the association between sport classes and medal distribution with a level of significance set at a P value of less than 0.05. The main results revealed that partially sighted athletes exhibited better tandem-track race performance compared with blind athletes (P < 0.05). Significant associations between sport classes and medal distribution in male (P = 0.026) and female (P = 0.017) athletes were found (higher in B3 athletes). Only 23.2% of male and 41.5% of female B3 athletes were medalists, and B3 athletes performed better specifically compared with B1 in most race distances. Finally, B2 and B3 athletes showed higher performance improvements than B1 throughout 20 yrs in the male group. It was concluded that male and female visual impairment athletes who classified as B1 displayed lower tandem-track race performance and medal frequency compared with partially sighted athletes, mainly considering those in the B3 class. The competitive system for athletes with visual impairment should be improved to provide more equity in the track para-cycling events.

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confidence: 99%

“…Furthermore, there is very little literature about tandem in the context of competition. In general, studies have investigated training sessions and effects on hemodynamic adaptations, 9,10 physiological responses, 11 cardiac structure and function, 12 as well as aerodynamic drag and setup posture 3,13–15 …”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Time-Trial Performance of Para-Cycling Athletes With Visual Impairment in Tandem Competitions

Lima¹,

Kons²,

Detanico³

et al. 2021

Am J Phys Med Rehabil

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“…Of the studies that have investigated tandem riders specifically when using wind tunnels or computational fluid dynamic methods, the CdA values obtained have been 0.314 when the tandem team is crouched, 0.293 when in a time trial position 11 and 0.308-0.39 when crouched. 12 While the data in this paper does not appear out of step from these studies at face value, caution is advised as it is argued that different aerodynamic studies using different wind tunnels should not be directly compared to each other. 8 This is potentially due to different blockage ratios, turbulence intensities, size and protocol for each wind tunnel.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 92%

“…Few studies to date have begun to address the aerodynamic drag of tandem cyclists and those that have taken place are all mainly attributed to the same author mentioned above. [10][11][12][13] In the studies that have evaluated tandem cyclists 'Coefficient of Aerodynamic Drag' (CdA), scale models of cyclists were used. 10,11 This meant that the precision of such experiments when using actual cyclists riding and pedalling a tandem bicycle were both assumed and simplified, despite the likely added complexity of two riders pedalling in unison in reality.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The aerodynamic assessment of tandem cyclists in preparation for the 2021 Paralympic Games: A case study

Dyer

Gumowski

Starczewski

2022

Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part P:

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Reducing the level of aerodynamic drag (CdA) via use of a wind tunnel will ultimately improve a competitive cyclists performance. Whilst this tool is widely considered a ‘gold standard’, previous studies have centred on single riders or scale models to evaluate aerodynamic drag. No study to date has assessed the precision of wind tunnel testing with the additional perceived complexity of a tandem bicycle with a pair of competitive paracyclists. The first part of this investigation evaluated the use of a wind tunnel in the assessment of tandem paracyclists. A male and female team of paracyclists riding tandem versions of either a time trial track bicycle or a road/time trial bicycle undertook a series of measurement intervals in a wind tunnel. Three different combinations of these riders and bicycles obtained a Coefficient of Variation of their mean CdA of 1.8%–2.6%. The second part of this investigation acted as a case study by implementing a range of aerodynamic interventions to potentially reduce the male team’s CdA. For example, progressive efforts reduced a team’s CdA from the baseline of 0.338 m2 to ultimately 0.321 m2 predominately by lowering both tandem riders heads Whilst tandem cyclist performance enhancement has recieved scant attention in the past, this case study only highlights the value of doing so in the future.

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“…In WC sprinting, different postures during the catch, release, and recovery phases have also been assessed using computational fluid dynamics. After wind tunnel validation [ 47 ], higher drag during the catch phase and minimal drag during the recovery phase were reported [ 44 ]. Adjusting body configuration and equipment will contribute to reduced drag and improved WC and para-cycling performance.…”

Section: Sittingmentioning

confidence: 99%

How Can Biomechanics Improve Physical Preparation and Performance in Paralympic Athletes? A Narrative Review

Fletcher

Gallinger²,

François

2021

Sports

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Recent research in Paralympic biomechanics has offered opportunities for coaches, athletes, and sports practitioners to optimize training and performance, and recent systematic reviews have served to summarize the state of the evidence connecting biomechanics to Paralympic performance. This narrative review serves to provide a comprehensive and critical evaluation of the evidence related to biomechanics and Paralympic performance published since 2016. The main themes within this review focus on sport-specific body posture: the standing, sitting, and horizontal positions of current summer Paralympic sports. For standing sports, sprint and jump mechanics were assessed in athletes with cerebral palsy and in lower-limb amputee athletes using running-specific prostheses. Our findings suggest that running and jumping-specific prostheses should be ‘tuned’ to each athlete depending on specific event demands to optimize performance. Standing sports were also inclusive to athletes with visual impairments. Sitting sports comprise of athletes performing on a bike, in a wheelchair (WC), or in a boat. WC configuration is deemed an important consideration for injury prevention, mobility, and performance. Other sitting sports like hand-cycling, rowing, and canoeing/kayaking should focus on specific sitting positions (e.g., arm-crank position, grip, or seat configuration) and ways to reduce aero/hydrodynamic drag. Para-swimming practitioners should consider athlete-specific impairments, including asymmetrical anthropometrics, on the swim-start and free-swim velocities, with special considerations for drag factors. Taken together, we provide practitioners working in Paralympic sport with specific considerations on disability and event-specific training modalities and equipment configurations to optimize performance from a biomechanical perspective.

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Impact of pilot and stoker torso angles in tandem para-cycling aerodynamics

Cited by 10 publications

References 30 publications

Time-Trial Performance of Para-Cycling Athletes With Visual Impairment in Tandem Competitions

Time-Trial Performance of Para-Cycling Athletes With Visual Impairment in Tandem Competitions

The aerodynamic assessment of tandem cyclists in preparation for the 2021 Paralympic Games: A case study

How Can Biomechanics Improve Physical Preparation and Performance in Paralympic Athletes? A Narrative Review

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