Bicycle Set-Up Dimensions and Cycling Kinematics: A Consensus Statement Using Delphi Methodology.

Bicycle set-up dimensions and cycling kinematic data are important components of bicycle fitting and cyclist testing protocols. However, there are no guidelines on how bicycles should be measured and how kinematic data should be collected to increase the reliability of outcomes. This article proposes a consensus regarding bicycle set-up dimensions and recommendations for collecting cycling-related kinematic data. Four core members recruited panellists, prepared the document to review in each round for panellists, analysed the scores and comments of the expert panellists, reported the decisions and communicated with panellists. Fourteen experts with experience in research involving cycling kinematics and/or bicycle fitting agreed to participate as panellists. An initial list of 17 statements was proposed, rated using a five-point Likert scale and commented on by panellists in three rounds of anonymous surveys following a Delphi procedure. The consensus was agreed upon when more than 80% of the panellists scored the statement with values of 4 and 5 (moderately and strongly agree) with an interquartile range of less than or equal to 1. A consensus was achieved for eight statements addressing bicycle set-up dimensions (e.g. saddle height, saddle setback, etc.) and nine statements for cycling kinematic assessment (e.g. kinematic method, two-dimensional methodology, etc.). This consensus statement provides a list of recommendations about how bicycle set-up dimensions should be measured and the best practices for collecting cycling kinematic data. These recommendations should improve the transparency, reproducibility, standardisation and interpretation of bicycle measurements and cycling kinematic data for researchers, bicycle fitters and cycling related practitioners.

Factors associated with overuse injury in cyclists: A systematic review.

OBJECTIVES: To identify risk factors associated with overuse injuries in cyclists. DESIGN: Systematic review. METHODS: Data sources: Medline, CINAHL, EMBASE, SPORTDiscus, and the Cochrane Library were systematically searched. Reference checking and citation tracking of included articles were undertaken. Grey literature searches and a review of key publications by known experts in the industry were conducted. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR SELECTING STUDIES: Studies evaluating the association between specific measures of the bike, the cyclist's body and load characteristics, and overuse pain or injury in cycling. RESULTS: Of the 3596 studies yielded in the search, 18 studies were included in the review with only 3 of these studies deemed to have a low risk of bias. The best evidence synthesis showed moderate evidence of a relationship between load and symptoms, as well as moderate evidence of no relationship between cycling overuse injury or pain and many measures traditionally used in bike fitting. Conflicting evidence of a relationship exists between seat height and symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Cycling is popular on a world scale for transport and exercise with cyclists experiencing a high prevalence of overuse pain and injury. Many theories exist as to the cause of these symptoms, however there are limited high quality studies of risk factors for overuse injuries. This review highlights that there is no strong evidence relating any measure of the bike, body or load to cycling overuse pain or injury.