Acceleration transmitted to the human body during cycling: effect of a road bike damping system

The objective of this study was to examine the influence of a road bike damping system on accelerations transmitted to the cyclist. Thirty male subjects performed trials with and without vibration on a damped and non-damped road racing bike at three different power level. Three-dimensional accelerations at thigh, shank, lower back, acromion, neck and forearm were recorded to quantify the athlete-bike interaction. Vibrations were found to effect the entire body significantly. Significant differences regarding the damped and non-damped bike were observed for the vibrations transmitted to the upper body, while lower extremity loading was comparable. Therefore road bike damping reduces mechanical load at the upper extremities and torso effectively and thereby possibly contributes to comfort and injury prevention. This might provide beneficial information to coaches and athletes for material selection.