Mean stability and between-session reliability of cycling biomechanics variables in elite pursuit cyclists

Summary

The purpose of this study was to determine the number of crank revolutions required to obtain stable mean values of sagittal plane biomechanics variables, and the between-session reliability of these variables, whilst cyclists used an aerodynamic position. Eighteen elite cyclists completed a 3-min maximal bout on a cycling ergometer. Lower-limb kinematic and kinetic data were captured using 2D motion capture and force pedals. Raw data were filtered using a 4th order Butterworth low-pass filter (6 hz) and interpolated to 100 points per revolution. The middle 60 revolutions of each trial were extracted and 37 discrete and 15 time-series variables were calculated. Mean stability was assessed in all participants, and between-session reliability was analysed in a subset of 11 participants. Sequential averaging indicated more revolutions to stability than iterative intra-class correlation coefficients. Crank kinetics were more stable than joint kinematics and kinetics. For stable discrete and time-series variables, 30 and 38 revolutions are recommended, respectively. Between-day reliability for all variables was moderate to excellent, and good to excellent for crank kinetics and joint kinematics variables. Hip flexion-extension and ankle dorsiflexion kinetics were least reliable. Researchers and applied practitioners should consider these findings when planning, and interpreting results from, cycling biomechanics interventions.

Keywords:	Biomechanics, cycling, reliability, intraclass correlation coefficient, sequential averaging
Creators:	Williams, Daniel
Academic units:	Faculty of Health and Wellbeing (HWB) > Academic Departments > Academy of Sport and Physical Activity
Funders:	Funder Name Grant Number Funder ID Sheffield Hallam University UNSPECIFIED
Publisher of the data:	SHU Research Data Archive (SHURDA)
Publication date:	21 January 2026
Data last accessed:	No data downloaded yet
Reason(s) for restriction and conditions for access:	Files not available due to data confidentiality requirements of external PhD funding providers.
DOI:	http://doi.org/10.17032/shu-0000000315
SHURDA URI:	https://shurda.shu.ac.uk/id/eprint/315
Additional details Additional details Types of data: Dataset Collection period: From To 2 August 2023 21 February 2024 Data collection method: Basic demographic and anthropometric information. Lower-limb kinematic and kinetic data were captured using 2D motion capture and force pedals Resource language: English Metadata language: English Depositing User: Peter Smith Date Deposited: 21 Jan 2026 08:23 Last Modified: 22 Jan 2026 08:45