Pedaling cadence effects on joint mechanical work during cycling

The aim of the present study was to compare the effects of small changes in pedaling cadence (20% higher and lower than the freely chosen) on hip, knee, and ankle mechanical parameters. Right pedal forces and lower limb kinematics of cyclists were measured with workload at 80% of peak power output, for three pedaling cadences (freely chosen cadence - FCC; 20% below the FCC - FCC - 20%; and 20% higher than the FCC - FCC + 20%). Forces, kinematics and mechanical work were calculated for hip, knee and ankle joints. Knee joint mechanical work decreased at FCC + 20% (55 +/- 13 J, compared to FCC - 66 +/- 11 J and to FCC - 20% - 72 +/- 7 J), while the contribution of each joint to the total mechanical work (TMW) was not affected by pedaling cadence. Joint forces were not influenced by pedaling cadence. Ankle joint angle increased (155 +/- 3 degrees compared to FCC - 152 +/- 2 degrees and to FCC -20% - 149 +/- 3 degrees), while knee (59 +/- 3 degrees compared to FCC - 62 +/- 2 degrees and to FCC -20% - 64 +/- 1 degrees), and ankle (15 +/- 4 degrees compared to FCC - 18 +/- 1 degrees and to FCC -20% - 20 +/- 2 degrees) range of motion (ROM) decreased at FCC + 20%. The effects of pedaling cadence on joint mechanical work and kinematics indicate that the FCC does not minimize joint mechanical work and force production for all lower limb joints. The knee joint tunes the power production by the mechanical work while the ankle function seems to be dependent on joint kinematics when pedaling cadence is increased.