A field study investigating sensory manifestations in recreational female cyclists using a novel female-specific cycling pad.

This randomised controlled field study aimed to design a female-specific cycling pad with reduced padding in the crotch area (half-pad) and test its effects on self-reported sensory manifestations in comparison with full-padded cycling bib shorts. Recreational female road cyclists (n = 183) participated (divided into two groups). Self-reported sensory manifestations were collected six times over 12 weeks. Sitting discomfort, wetness perception, thermal, texture sensation, and wear discomfort decreased over time for the crotch and sitting-bones areas in both groups. Irritation and tenderness in the crotch area also decreased over time in both groups. Irritation and tenderness in the sitting-bones area were only higher at week two in the half-pad compared with the full-pad group. Cycling with the half-padded shorts compared with the full-padded ones had no negative effects on sensory manifestations beside the observed transient change at week two. This suggests that foam thickness in the crotch area can be reduced in female-specific cycling pads. Practitioner's Summary: Road cycling might result in discomfort and non-traumatic injuries in the female genital area. This field study compares two different cycling pads; a half-pad and a full-pad, over a 12-week period among female recreational road cyclists. Reducing the foam thickness in the crotch area of the pad does not change sensory manifestations, i.e. discomfort, wetness perception, texture-, and thermal-sensation as well as wear discomfort. Abbreviations: CS-Q: online Cycling bib Shorts Questionnaire; VADER: Valence Aware Dictionary and sEntiment Reasoner.

The effect of saddle nose width and cutout on saddle pressure distribution and perceived discomfort in women during ergometer cycling.

The objectives were 1) to design and produce two novel unpadded bicycle saddles with a wide/medium width and partial nose cutout; 2) to investigate the responses on pressure distribution and perceived discomfort in female cyclists. For comparison, a standard saddle was also tested. Nineteen female cyclists pedaled on an ergometer cycle for 20 min with each saddle in a counterbalanced order. A pressure mat measured saddle interface pressure. Discomfort ratings were collected using a visual analogue scale. Total mean saddle pressure remained similar across saddles. The wide saddle increased anterior and decreased posterior mean saddle pressure as compared with the standard (p < .002) and the medium saddle (p < .001). Significantly increased ischial tuberosity discomfort was found for the novel saddles (p < .001), while crotch discomfort was not significantly different between saddles. The medium width saddle appeared to be the best compromise since increased crotch discomfort was avoided and saddle pressures were redistributed. Such design may be suggested as an alternative to traditional saddles for women reporting discomfort in the perineal region.