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Abstract
Introduction: Foot placement may play an important role in muscle recruitment patterns that may affect cycling performance. Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine if muscular activity of the thigh and leg muscles shifted when a more posterior, compared to traditional, cleat location is used. Methods: Surface electromyography (sEMG) and kinematic data (1200 Hz and 120 fps, respectively) were collected from eleven (11) experienced cyclists performing at a constant pedal rate (80rpm) for two cleat location conditions: neutral (NTL) and posterior (POS). sEMG was obtained for eight (8) muscles. Ergometer positions were altered to maintain consistent kinematics between conditions. Root mean square (RMS) data for sEMG were analyzed using paired t-tests for each muscle. Results: RMS-EMG burst magnitude and RMS-EMG peak as a function of crank position were effected cleat conditions (p < 0.05).