3D Knee Loading during Stationary Cycling: A Comprehensive Model Development and Reliability Analysis

Abstract

The main purpose of this study was to develop and validate a 3D model for calculating knee joint loads during seated cycling. A 3D inverse dynamics approach was used to calculate knee and ankle joint loads using kinematics and kinetics data. For such a model, four kinematics clusters and three pedal markers were used, integrated with a 6-component force/torque pedal dynamometer. Seven subjects performed one five-minute trial on 75% of their maximum power at fixed cadence of 85 rpms. Data from two consecutive samples of the same cycling trial (first and last minute) were used to validate the model with the mean difference between two samples, Cronbach’s alpha, intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), and p-value. Results showed high ICC (>0.735) and internal consistency (>0.700) with no statistically significant values (p > 0.050) except for crank angle of peak anterior force and peak axial forces at the knee and minimum normal force (p = 0.010) and minimum crank angle (p = 0.010) on the pedal. Further analyses are required to validate the model between days and to test the sensitivity to mechanical constraints.