Abstract
Although cycling is a fundamental skill acquired by a lot of people, insights into the factors contributing to the learning of more stable cycling remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the aspects of movement that contribute to cycling stability through the skill acquisition process in non-cyclists. Nineteen participants practiced cycling on a straight and narrow path for 20 trials daily for 2 days. After the practice session, the movements related to steering, frame roll, and head were stabilized. In the pre-test, multiple regression analysis showed that steering, head angle, frequency of optokinetic nystagmus, and cycling speed were explanatory variables for the deviation rate as the dependent variable in the regression equation. In the retention test, the head roll tilt, head angle, head angle range, and optokinetic response duration were included. These findings suggest that the strategy shifted from minimizing the variability of steering to stabilizing head movements as participants improved their cycling skills. Furthermore, the periodic eye movements and the act of lowering the head were identified as contributing factors to cycling stability in both pre- and retention tests.