• Journal of the Korea Safety Management & Science
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.81-86
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• 2010

Despite the importance of cycling postures during cycling performances, there has been a very little research investigating cycling postures and pedaling rate for particularly concerning domestic cyclists. The aim of this study was to analyze correlations and effects between cycling postures and pedaling rate in track cycling. Twelve male racing cyclists (six racing and university cyclists) participated in this research. For this study, seven infrared cameras (Qualisys ProReflex MCU-240s) were used for collecting data and these were processed via QTM (Qualisys Tracker Manager) software. It appeared that pedaling rate had correlations with regard to a shoulder angle (R=-.601) and displacement between shoulder joints(R= -.637), but a knee (R=-.601) and ankle angle (R=.667). Moreover, two multiple regression equations of pedaling rate for cycling postures were significant and R2 of the first order equation y (pedaling rate) = 0.039x (knee angle) - 1.068 was less than the second order equation y = 0.006x2 - 1.287x + 69.674. In conclusion, cycling postures affected the pedaling rate. Further study should be researched on postures in relation to air resistance in a wind tunnel.

• The Transactions of The Korean Institute of Electrical Engineers
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• v.57 no.9
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• pp.1669-1673
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• 2008

A new cycle ergometer using a Magneto-Rheological (MR) rotary brake system has been developed for rehabilitation of hemiplegia patients to reduce uneven pedaling characteristics. For this purpose, a control method to adjust the resistance of the MR rotary brake in real time based on the magnitude of the muscular force exerted by the subject has been devised so that the mechanical resistance to the pedaling can be minimized when the affected leg was engaged for pedaling. A series of experiments were carried out with and without the engagement of this real-time control mode of MR rotary brake at different pedaling rate to find out the effect of the real-time control mode. The characteristics of the pedaling for these specific conditions were analyzed based on the variations in angular velocities of the pedal unit. The results showed that the variations in the angular velocities were decreased by 42.9% with the control mode. The asymmetry of pedaling between dominant and non-dominant leg was 19.63% in non-control mode and 1.97% in the control mode. The characteristics of electromyography(EMG) in the lower limbs were also measured. The observation showed that Integrated EMG(IEMG) reduced with the control mode. Therefore, the new bicycle system using MR brake with the real time control of mechanical resistance was found to be effective in recovering the normal pedaling pattern by reducing unbalanced pedaling characteristics caused by disparity of muscular strength between affected and unaffected leg.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.171-177
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• 2008

This work intends to investigate the effects of pedaling directions on the muscle actions during the bicycle's uphill propulsion. A test rig was developed that consists of a bicyle with a special planetary geartrain, a height-adjustable treadmill, a rear-wheel support and a magnetic brake. A three-dimensional motion analysis was performed for measuring kinematic characteristics of the forward backward pedaling and the electromygraphy(EMG) measurements were simultaneously performed for estimating the muscle actions of the leg. In this work, four muscles are considered including Gastrocnemius muscle(GM), Vastus lateralis(VL), Tibialis anterior(TA) and Soleus(SOL) while the uphill slope is varied from $0^{\circ}$ to $6^{\circ}$. Raw EMG signals were first processed through the root-mean-square(RMS) averaging and then ensemble curves were derived by averaging the EMG RMS envelopes over 50 consecutive cycles. Results show that both the kinemactic characteristics and the muscle actions are significantly affected by the pedaling direction. The crank speed of the forward pedaling is higher but the difference in speed is reduced as the slope is increased. The ensemble curves of the :ac signals clearly exhibit some differences in their patterns, peak values and the corresponding locations with respect to the crank angle. The peak values of most EMG signals are higher for the forward pedaling regardless of the slope magnitude. However, the averages of the EMG signals are not observed to have a similar relationship with the pedaling direction, which seems to be affected by several factors such as less experience of the participants' backward pedaling. inappropriate bicycle design for the backward pedaling. These limitations will be further considered in future work.

• Design & Manufacturing
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.29-36
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• 2017

In this study, the non-contact type bicycle generator system considering the recharge is developed to use the eco-friendly energy source when the bicycle is operating. The following three main factors are considered in this study. One of factors is that the intensity of the rotating magnet is in the range of 2,700~4,300 [Gause]. The next factor is that the separation distance of rotating magnet and bicycle rim is in the range of 1.5-3.0 mm. The last factor is that the pedaling speed is in the range of 55 RPM [Wheel speed 5.6Km]~150 RPM [Wheel speed 15.25Km] consirering with the 5 staged gear transmission. The obtained results are as followed. (1) The generator output voltage gradually increases from 3V to 10V with the pedaling speed increases, at the separation distance is less than 2.5 mm and the operating voltage of the LED lamp is generated at a pedaling speed of 60 RPM or more. (2) The output current of the generator increases from 20mA to 40mA with the pedaling speed increases, at a separation distance is less than 2.0 mm and the operating current of the LED lamp is generated at a pedaling speed of 60 RPM or more. (3) When the separation distance was 3.0 mm, the output voltage and current are significantly lower than those of the bicycle LED lamp is generated. (4) The charging time is expected to be 12.24 ~ 17.65 hours when the magnitude of the magnet is 3,400[Gauss] at a pedaling speed of 55 RPM or more. (5) As a result of this study, it is thought that the non-contact type bicycle generator system considering the recharge can replace the conventional friction power generation system.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.17 no.6
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• pp.389-399
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• 2019

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of muscle asymmetry of knee joint among elite cyclists on anaerobic pedaling power related capacity. In another word, based on isokinetic strength of Non-Dominant, ND and Dominant, D, side, high, moderate and low ratio of ND to D were classified as High Symmetry Group, Moderate Symmetry Group and Asymmetry Group, respectively. Analysis of muscle asymmetry of extensor's ND and D side might not lead to any difference between the three groups. Based on muscle strength analysis of the flexor's ND and D, there was statistical difference between the groups in ND flexor and in the muscle balance index of the flexor muscle. This result also leads to significant difference in pedaling power functionality, but this effects might not lead to any negative pedaling power. Therefore, among even cyclists who may show almost the same recruitment pattern of ND and D side during pedaling stroke muscle asymmetry could exist but this phenomena might not negatively contribute to the pedaling capacity.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.262-268
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• 2022

Background: Virtual reality (VR) programs based on motion capture camera are the most convenient and cost-effective approaches for remote rehabilitation. Assessment of physical function is critical for providing optimal VR rehabilitation training; however, direct muscle strength measurement using camera-based kinematic data is impracticable. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a method to indirectly estimate the muscle strength of users from the value obtained using a motion capture camera. Objects: The purpose of this study was to determine whether the pedaling speed converted using the VR engine from the captured foot position data in the VR environment can be used as an indirect way to evaluate knee muscle strength, and to investigate the validity and reliability of a camera-based VR program. Methods: Thirty healthy adults were included in this study. Each subject performed a 15-second maximum pedaling test in the VR and built-in speedometer modes. In the VR speedometer mode, a motion capture camera was used to detect the position of the ankle joints and automatically calculate the pedaling speed. An isokinetic dynamometer was used to assess the isometric and isokinetic peak torques of knee flexion and extension. Results: The pedaling speeds in VR and built-in speedometer modes revealed a significantly high positive correlation (r = 0.922). In addition, the intra-rater reliability of the pedaling speed in the VR speedometer mode was good (ICC [intraclass correlation coefficient] = 0.685). The results of the Pearson correlation analysis revealed a significant moderate positive correlation between the pedaling speed of the VR speedometer and the peak torque of knee isokinetic flexion (r = 0.639) and extension (r = 0.598). Conclusion: This study suggests the potential benefits of measuring the maximum pedaling speed using 3D depth camera in a VR environment as an indirect assessment of muscle strength. However, technological improvements must be followed to obtain more accurate estimation of muscle strength from the VR cycling test.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.467-477
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• 2013

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of backward pedaling ergometer training on ankle ROM, lower extremities strength, foot pressure in hemiplegia. METHODS: The subjects consisted of control group(n=10) and experimental group(n=10), subjects were trained 5 times a week for 2 weeks each group. Control group were trained forward, experimental group were trained backward pedaling with physical therapy in both groups. Each group measured ankle joint ROM with DUALER IQ and ankle and knee joint flexor and extensor muscle strength by Manual Muscle Test System and foot pressure by Gait view system. RESULTS: The result of this study between pre and post test that experimental group had statistically significantly differences in ankle joint range of motion and lower extremities strength. But foot pressure had not statistically significant differences. There was not significantly difference of variation between groups. CONCLUSION: Therefore these results mean that backward and forward pedaling ergometer training effected an improvement of lower extremities function in hemiplegia.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Precision Engineering Conference
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• 2012.05a
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• pp.1139-1140
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• 2012

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Precision Engineering Conference
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• 2013.05a
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• pp.1227-1228
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• 2013

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.11-20
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• 2016

Objective: This study aimed to compare biomechanical data between elite and beginner cyclists during cycle pedaling by performing a comparative analysis and to provide quantitative data for both pedaling performance enhancement and injury prevention. Methods: The subjects of this study included 5 elite cyclists (age: $18{\pm}0years$, body mass: $64.8{\pm}9.52kg$, height: $173.0{\pm}4.80cm$) and 5 amateur cyclists (age: $20{\pm}0years$, mass: $66.6{\pm}2.36kg$, height: $175.6{\pm}1.95cm$). The subjects pedaled on a stationary bicycle mounted on rollers of the same gear (front: 50 T and rear: 17 T = 2.94) and cadence of 90. The saddle height was adjusted to fit the body of each subject, and all the subjects wore shoes with cleats. In order to obtain kinematic data, 4 cameras (GR-HD1KR, JVC, Japan) were installed and set at 60 frames/sec. An electromyography (EMG) system (Telemyo 2400T, Noraxon, USA) was used to measure muscle activation. Eight sets of data from both the left and right lower extremities were obtained from 4 muscles (vastus medialis oblique [VMO], vastus lateralis oblique [VLO], and semitendinosus [Semitend], and lateral gastrocnemius [Gastro]) bilaterally by using a sampling frequency of 1,500 Hz. Five sets of events ($0^{\circ}$, $90^{\circ}$, $180^{\circ}$, $270^{\circ}$, and $360^{\circ}$) and 4 phases (P1, P2, P3, and P4) were set up for the data analysis. Imaging data were analyzed for kinematic factors by using the Kwon3D XP computer software (Visol, Korea). MyoResearch XP Master Edition (Noraxon) was used for filtering and processing EMG signals. Results: The angular velocity at $360^{\circ}$ from the feet was higher in the amateur cyclists, but accelerations at $90^{\circ}$ and $180^{\circ}$ were higher in the elite cyclists. The amateur cyclists had greater joint angles at $270^{\circ}$ from the ankle and wider knee joint distance at $0^{\circ}$, $180^{\circ}$, and $360^{\circ}$ than the elite cyclists. The EMG measurements showed significant differences between P2 and P4 from both the right VLO and Semitend. Conclusion: This study showed that lower body movements appeared to be different according to the level of cycle pedaling experience. This finding may be used to improve pedaling performance and prevent injuries among cyclists.