The effect of lower saddle height on the knee joint during pedaling exercise

The purpose of this study is to investigate the influence of lower saddle height on the knee joint. Five healthy male pedal at 60 rpm against the work load of 100 and 200 W. Three saddle heights of 80, 90 and 100% of trochanteric leg height are selected in this study. During each trial, the position data of the right lower limb's joints by the video camera and the force data of the right pedal by the force sensor are measured. Using these data, the inverse dynamics analysis is done, and the following results are obtained. The peak link force acting on the knee joint and the peak knee extension moment do not indicate any change over the three saddle heights, however, the angles at their peak values shift to the knee flexion as the lower saddle height. These results indicate that the lower saddle would overload at the knee joint.