Cycling - Directed Task

Question 1

Explain the key biomechanical considerations for a cyclist when selecting saddle height. Effect on length-tension relationship?

Answer 1

Saddle height directly affects the levels of joint flexion and extension in hip, knee and ankle movement.
This effects the length of different muscles and the force they can produce (length-tension relationship).

Ankle joint typically shows biggest effect to saddle height changes.

The body tries to keep the power producing hip and knee extensor muscles as close to their favourable lengths as possible

Question 2

Explain the key biomechanical considerations for a cyclist when selecting saddle height.Effect on force-velocity relationship?

Answer 2

The range of motion is changed at the ankle which impacts on its angular velocity