Electromyographic responses to aerodynamic vs. drop handlebars

Abstract

Aerodynamic Handlebars were developed to increase the competitive cyclists aerodynamic advantage. They place the cyclist in a laid out position with the hands stretched out in front similar to a down hill skier "tuck" position. Research has shown that there are no metabolic changes associated with the use of aerodynamic handlebars. These findings are contradicted by anecdotal evidence of specific fatigue and pain in regions such as the upper thigh, buttocks and low back. This anecdotal evidence may point out differences not revealed by metabolic testing. In this study the electromyography of the rectus femoris, biceps femoris, gluteus maximus, gluteus medius, and low back were recorded during cycling with both aerodynamic handlebars and drop handlebars, Although there was no significant interaction between the two handlebars there was an interaction between the warm-up and exercise phases of the exercise bouts in the rectus femoris and gluteus maximus. These results indicate that there is possibly a differential response to aerodynamic handlebars as compared to drop handlebars but it is not in the area we expected.