THE EFFECTS OF CYCLING ON RUNNING MECHANICS

This study investigated the mechanical effects that cycling has on run ning style which may explain the discomfort associated with the transi tion from cycling to running. The joint angles, angular velocities, re action forces, and reaction moments of the left and right hip, knee, a nd anl;le joints as well as stance time, flight time, stride length, a nd maximum vertical displacement of the renter of gravity were measure d using high-speed video and ground reaction force data. Data were col lected from 11 competitive biathletes and triathletes. Each subject's running mechanics were determined from 10 trials for each of three con ditions: (a) unfatigued, (b) immediately following 30 min of running, and (c) immediately following 30 min of bicycling. The results indicat e that a person's running mechanics, as described by the variables abo ve, are virtually unchanged between each of the three conditions. Ther efore, awkwardness of the bicycle-to-run transition may not be related to a change in running mechanics.