Eccentric Cycling in the Real Life: A Case Report Exploring Riding Downhill with a Brakeless Bicycle.

This case study aimed to explore neuromuscular strategies used by a cyclist to control the speed while riding downhill a mountain with a brakeless, fixed-gear bicycle. Accelerations of the pedals and electromyographic activity of four lower limb muscles were registered to determine muscle activation during two decelerating strategies. Eccentric cycling was mostly used to control the bicycle speed with short (536 ± 51 ms) and low-intensity contractions. Isometric pedaling cycles were more efficient for decelerations with long (1,092 ± 281 ms) and intensive contractions. Isometric muscle activation was 122, 31, 25 and 44% greater than eccentric for vastus lateralis, biceps femoris, gastrocnemius lateralis and tibialis anterior muscle, respectively. This study suggests specific activation patterns to help the practitioner for safety rides, but that could have implications for rehabilitation purposes.