DIEFENTHAELER, F.; CARPES, F. P.; BINI, R. R.; MOTA, C. B.; GUIMARÃES, A. C. S.
Methodological proposal to evaluate sagittal trunk and spine angle in cyclists: Preliminary study.
Brazilian Journal of Biomotricity, v. 2, n. 4, p. 284-293, 2008. This study proposes an
improvement on the methodology for sagittal kinematics analysis of the trunk movement in
cyclists applying an additional anatomical reference marker. Compared to common
methodologies it was possible to describe the trunk and spine kinematics in three different
angles. For this purpose, we have added to the anatomical reference points commonly used in
evaluations concerning the sagittal trunk kinematics during cycling (great trochanter and
acromio), the anatomical landmark of the last rib, which was used to calculate the trunk
inclination angle, spine flexion angle and lumbar inclination angle. Three experienced elite road
cyclists were volunteered to test the methodology during a cycling test at intensity
corresponding to the second ventilatory threshold. It was observed that this new methodology
renders useful information for a detailed sagittal analysis of the trunk motion without the need of
a great number of markers or three dimensional setups. The method can be used during cycling
evaluation, mainly those related to body positioning. Further studies should be conducted to test
this methodology for gait analysis.
