Anterior pelvic tilt in elite cyclists—A comparative matched pairs study

Abstract 

Objectives

To compare mean angles of anterior pelvic tilt (APT) and variability of APT angles in elite cyclists and matched non-cyclists.

Design

Observation, cross-sectional, matched pairs.

Participants

Seventeen elite cyclists Australian Institute of Sport Track Cycling Squad (AISTCS) (23±4.2 years, 15 males) age and gender matched with 17 non-cyclists (23±4.1 years, 15 males).

Setting

Laboratory within the University of South Australia. The APT was assessed in long-sitting position with chest as close to thighs as voluntarily possible and measured using a digital inclinometer over L5–S1 intervertebral space.

Main outcome measures

APT in elite and non-cyclists. Unpaired t-tests and F-tests were used to analyze difference and variability of APT angles between groups with p⩽0.05 regarded as significant.

Results

There was a significant difference between APT angles between the two groups (cyclists +12.2° (±6.0), non-cyclists −5.3° (±9.7); , p<0.01, 95% confidence interval (CI) 11.8–23.1°). The variability of APT angles was significantly greater in non-cyclists compared to elite cyclists (, ).

Conclusions

The APT angle of elite cyclists is significantly greater and has significantly less variability than APT angle in matched non-cyclists, when tested in a long-sitting position.

Keywords: Pelvic, Biomechanics, Bicycling, Posture