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Quantifying Lower-Limb Muscle Coordination During Cycling Using Electromyography-Informed Muscle Synergies
Reza Ahmadi1, Shahram Rasoulian2, Hamidreza Heidary1
1Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4, Canada.
Annals of Biomedical Engineering
|March 1, 2026
Summary
Muscle coordination in cycling changes with power output, revealing how the nervous system adapts. Synergy indices offer insights for rehabilitation and performance optimization.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics
- Motor Control
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Muscle coordination is crucial for efficient movement.
- Understanding neuromuscular strategies in cycling informs performance and rehabilitation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate lower-limb muscle synergy patterns during cycling at different power levels.
- To use muscle synergies as indicators of neuromuscular coordination and motor control.
Main Methods:
- Twenty cyclists underwent graded cycling tests.
- Electromyography (EMG) data from seven lower-limb muscles were analyzed.
- Non-negative matrix factorization was used to extract muscle synergies; Synergy Index (SI) and Synergy Coordination Index (SCI) were calculated.
Main Results:
- Four muscle synergies were consistent across power levels.
- SI at the hip remained stable, but decreased at the knee and increased at the ankle with higher power.
- SCI increased significantly with increasing cycling power levels.
Conclusions:
- The central nervous system modulates muscle synergies in response to increased mechanical demands.
- Synergy indices provide a valuable method for assessing motor control in cycling.
- Findings can inform rehabilitation strategies and performance optimization for cyclists.
