EFFECT OF HANDLEBAR HEIGHT ON LOWER-LIMB BIOMECHANICS AND UPPER BODY KINEMATICS IN ELITE PURSUIT CYCLISTS

Authors

Daniel Williams, Sheffield Hallam UniversityFollow
Marcus Dunn, Heriot-Watt University, EdinburghFollow
Paul Worsfold, University of ChesterFollow
Deborah Newton, UK Sports InstituteFollow
Steve H. Faulkner, Nottingham Trent UniversityFollow
Francesca d'Andrea, Sheffield Hallam UniversityFollow
Jon Wheat, Nottingham Trent UniversityFollow

Category

Cycling

Document Type

Paper

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of handlebar height changes on upper body posture and lower-limb biomechanics in elite pursuit cyclists. Sixteen (9 male, 7 female) cyclists completed 1-minute cycling bouts with different handlebar heights (Preferred, -30 mm and +30 mm). 2D motion capture was used to record upper and lower body joint kinematics and integrated with instrumented force pedals to measure crank and lower limb joint kinetics. A general linear mixed model and repeated measures ANOVA were used to assess discrete and time-series variables. The findings indicate that elite cyclists can adapt ankle and hip biomechanics to maintain external force application and power output despite altered upper body posture due to a reduced handlebar height. Therefore, cyclists should consider reducing handlebar height for an aerodynamic gain.

Recommended Citation

Williams, Daniel; Dunn, Marcus; Worsfold, Paul; Newton, Deborah; Faulkner, Steve H.; d'Andrea, Francesca; and Wheat, Jon (2025) "EFFECT OF HANDLEBAR HEIGHT ON LOWER-LIMB BIOMECHANICS AND UPPER BODY KINEMATICS IN ELITE PURSUIT CYCLISTS," ISBS Proceedings Archive: Vol. 43: Iss. 1, Article 84.
Available at: https://commons.nmu.edu/isbs/vol43/iss1/84