A cycle ergometer mounted on a standard force platform for three-dimensional pedal forces measurement during cycling

Abstract 

This report describes a new method allowing to measure the three-dimensional forces applied on right and left pedals during cycling. This method is based on a cycle ergometer mounted on a force platform. By recording the forces applied on the force platform and applying the fundamental mechanical equations, it was possible to calculate the instantaneous three-dimensional forces applied on pedals. It was validated by static and dynamic tests. The accuracy of the present system was −7.61 N, −3.37 N and −2.81 N, respectively, for the vertical, the horizontal and the lateral direction when applying a mono-directional force and −4.52 N when applying combined forces. In pedaling condition, the orientation and magnitude of the pedal forces were comparable to the literature. Moreover, this method did not modify the mechanical properties of the pedals and offered the possibility for pedal force measurement with materials often accessible in laboratories. Measurements obtained showed that this method has an interesting potential for biomechanical analyses in cycling.

Keywords: Cycling, Pedal forces, Force platform