Are Clinical Balance Measures Linked to Cycling Performance?

Abstract

Balance is paramount to safe and successful cycling, both in competition and recreation. Balance has been investigated in the return-to-cycling context, but its relationship to cycling performance is unknown. Our study aimed to analyse the relationship between balance, measured by common clinical balance tests, and cycling performance. Seven competitive cyclists participated in this cross-sectional correlational study. We collected field-based measures of cycling performance, including mean velocity, minimum and maximum velocity, mean corner speed, average lap time, and lean angle. Also, we measured balance via the balance error scoring system, the star excursion balance test, the lateral reach test, and the modified Bass test of dynamic balance. Strong correlations between cornering performance and cycling performance (r = 0.65–0.87, p < 0.01) were detected. Weak correlations between clinical balance tests and cycling performance (r = 0.33–0.53, p < 0.05) were observed. In conclusion, our study showed that improving cornering performance has the potential to improve overall cycling performance. We also found no clear correlations between our clinical balance tests and cycling performance. These weak correlations between postural control in standing and cycling performance suggest that standing balance and balancing during cycling are distinct motor control processes.