THE IMPORTANCE OF POSTURE IN BIKE FIT
In his IBFI mentoring assessment, Utah-based Australian fitter John Higgins of BikeFitr and Fit Kit Systems, explains why good posture matters when it comes to comfort and sustainability.
R
egardless of whether we are sitting,
measurements oversimplify the postural
standing, walking, running, sleeping, or
presentation of the person. A cyclist may exhibit
cycling, the influence of gravity is ever
the same position as defined by joint angles, but
present. Posture is how we align and hold our body
present with a notably different posture – with
to counter the relentless force of gravity. The
implications for energy efficiency, comfort, and
central focus of posture is the alignment of the
performance.
pelvis and spine, which together provide the foundation for the movement of the upper and lower extremities. From a bike fit perspective, it is worth
Benefits of optimal posture A cyclist’s posture on a bicycle may be viewed as qualitatively optimal or suboptimal. Their
considering how a cyclist might best align their
posture will be either helping or hindering overall
pelvis and spinal column to function at an optimal
comfort and performance through the following
level on the bicycle. Posture is not the same as
attributes:
position. Position takes into account the arrangement and movement of the upper and lower
• Balance A key role of optimal posture is to align
limbs in relation to the spine, and to each other. A
the body to function and perform well in the
cyclist’s position is commonly defined by joint angle
presence of gravity. Hence, having the
measures, and indirectly documented by bike set
rider’s centre of mass balanced over
up measures.
the primary fulcrum point of the
Although the use of motion analysis can
bicycle will help optimise
provide comprehensive data and useful insights
muscle recruitment and
into a cyclist’s position and function, point-to-point
handling responsiveness.
