IMPROVING THE HUMAN BIKE INTERACTION

Bike fitting is the process of making an athlete’s equipment match their needs, improving the health and performance outcomes that are central to an individual’s cycling goals. At Adaptive HP, we use our qualifications in the areas of both sports science and exercise physiology to deliver bike fit services that balance performance requirements with an individual’s physical condition. 

The use of 3D motion technology allows us to accurately quantify positional qualities and to provide consistent outcomes, in line with the requirements of an individual’s discipline. Our knowledge of the biomechanical demands of modern-day cycling and the nature of injuries, informs the selection of ergonomic equipment to support the achievement of an individual’s cycling goals. 

Our approach to position optimization combines clinical insights, biomechanical analysis, and product ergonomics to deliver tailored solutions that enhance health and performance for cyclists of all levels.

CLINICAL APPROACH

Cycling is a highly repetitive sport with distinctive biomechanical requirements. The repetitive nature of cycling invariably places considerable mechanical load on the human body, predisposing the athlete to a greater risk of injury. For cyclists of all levels and across all disciplines, pain, and pathology are key motives for seeking position optimisation services.

Physical assessment techniques and clinical experience are the foundations of understanding the true nature of pain, pathology, and predisposition to injury. What are the key areas of vulnerability? Our clinical experience reflects that reported in scientific literature, with musculoskeletal injuries to the lumbar spine, cervical spine, and knee being the most prevalent.

BIOMECHANICAL APPROACH

In dynamic sporting applications, attention to detail is only as good as the ability to accurately capture and measure human movement. We use research-quality 3D motion capture and movement analysis technology to carry out detailed kinematic analysis of each athlete’s cycling position. 

From baseline to final motion capture, position optimisation is guided by the analysis of joint angle and joint position data. These biomechanical analysis techniques allow us to accurately work toward achieving positional qualities that are reflective of an individual’s cycling needs, favourable for both health and performance outcomes. 

PRODUCT ERGONOMICS

Component selection and setup is a vital aspect of improving the human-bike interaction. We work with saddle, pedal and cockpit manufacturers that place ergonomics at the forefront of product design, facilitating the achievement of an individual’s positional requirements. 

Product ergonomics is the key element of the position optimisation process that allows us to bridge the gap between health and performance outcomes. It is the appropriate selection of equipment that ensures performance doesn’t come at a cost to comfort and long-term sustainability.