Mean stability and between-session reliability of cycling biomechanics variables in elite pursuit cyclists

Williams, D, Dunn, M, Worsfold, P, Newton, D, Faulkner, SH ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4688-7252, d’Andrea, F and Wheat, J ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1107-6452, 2025. Mean stability and between-session reliability of cycling biomechanics variables in elite pursuit cyclists. Sports Biomechanics, 24 (9), pp. 2519-2539. ISSN 1476-3141

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Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the number of crank revolutions required to obtain stable mean values of sagittal plane biomechanics variables, and the between-session reliability of these variables, whilst cyclists used an aerodynamic position. Eighteen elite cyclists completed a 3-min maximal bout on a cycling ergometer. Lower-limb kinematic and kinetic data were captured using 2D motion capture and force pedals. Raw data were filtered using a 4th order Butterworth low-pass filter (6 hz) and interpolated to 100 points per revolution. The middle 60 revolutions of each trial were extracted and 37 discrete and 15 time-series variables were calculated. Mean stability was assessed in all participants, and between-session reliability was analysed in a subset of 11 participants. Sequential averaging indicated more revolutions to stability than iterative intra-class correlation coefficients. Crank kinetics were more stable than joint kinematics and kinetics. For stable discrete and time-series variables, 30 and 38 revolutions are recommended, respectively. Between-day reliability for all variables was moderate to excellent, and good to excellent for crank kinetics and joint kinematics variables. Hip flexion-extension and ankle dorsiflexion kinetics were least reliable. Researchers and applied practitioners should consider these findings when planning, and interpreting results from, cycling biomechanics interventions.

Item Type:	Journal article
Publication Title:	Sports Biomechanics
Creators:	Williams, D., Dunn, M., Worsfold, P., Newton, D., Faulkner, S.H., d’Andrea, F. and Wheat, J.
Publisher:	Informa UK Limited
Date:	September 2025
Volume:	24
Number:	9
ISSN:	1476-3141
Identifiers:	Number Type 10.1080/14763141.2025.2471805 DOI 2512395 Other
Divisions:	Schools > School of Science and Technology
Record created by:	Jeremy Silvester
Date Added:	22 Oct 2025 09:01
Last Modified:	22 Oct 2025 09:01
URI:	https://irep.ntu.ac.uk/id/eprint/54605

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