Long-Term Effects of a Kinematic Bikefitting Method on Pain, Comfort, and Fatigue: A Prospective Cohort Study

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to analyze the long-term riders’ subjective responses to a standardized bikefitting method on their bicycles. Eighty-six amateur mountain bikers had their riding posture and bicycle components ergonomically adjusted through a 3D kinematic bikefitting method. Validated subjective scales (Feeling, OMNI, and Numerical Rating Pain Scale) were used to assess their overall riding comfort and fatigue along with localized pain for six body parts. Data were collected just before intervention (baseline or pre), immediately after (or post), and 30, 60, 90, and 120 days after the bikefit session. A Student’s t-test comparing before bikefit and after 120 days showed significant (p < 0.05) reduction in localized pain for all six body parts and riding comfort along with a large effect size effect (d = 1.18) for riding comfort. Although initially reduced, fatigue scores gradually increased over the months, showing a high correlation (r = 0.946) with increased monthly training volume. In conclusion, overall riding discomfort and pain were significantly decreased after a standardized kinematic bikefit session even after 120 days post intervention. However, fatigue scores began to rise after 30 days, showing a high correlation with increasing monthly training volume.

Saddle Pressures Factors in Road and Off-Road Cyclists of Both Genders: A Narrative Review

“…Professional bike fitters, cyclists, and trainers can use these findings to improve pedaling [ 43 ].…”

“…The scientific literature reports different methods to adjust the height of the saddle [42]. Some of these take into account the anthropometric measurements of the cyclist, and others use 2D or 3D kinematic analysis evaluating the range of the joint angle [43]. Christiaans et al (1998) [5] suggested that the best saddle height for comfort was 106% of the inseam height in men and 107% of the inseam height in women.…”

“…Christiaans et al (1998) [5] suggested that the best saddle height for comfort was 106% of the inseam height in men and 107% of the inseam height in women. Another study by Scoz et al (2022) [43] evaluated subjects with a standardized bicycle fitting procedure based on 3D kinematic data. The results of this study demonstrated that fitting across 15 angular ranges (minimum ankle, maximal ankle, ankle range, ankle angle at bottom, maximum knee flexion, maximum knee extension, knee angle range, knee forward of foot, knee forward of spindle, knee travel tilt, knee lateral tilt, knee lateral travel, hip angle closed, hip angle open, hip angle range, hip lateral travel, back angle, shoulder angle to wrist, shoulder angle to elbow) was sufficient to produce large, long-term effects on pain, fatigue, and comfort.…”