IMU-Driven Biomechanical Smoothness Assessment for Cycling Pedaling Technique: An Evaluation Model with Real-Time Monitoring

IMU-Driven Biomechanical Smoothness Assessment for Cycling Pedaling Technique: An Evaluation Model with Real-Time Monitoring | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Article IMU-Driven Biomechanical Smoothness Assessment for Cycling Pedaling Technique: An Evaluation Model with Real-Time Monitoring Guoyong Li, Xiangchen Li, Depeng Yang, Mingzhe Li, Yibo Gao, Ya Tong This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-6600352/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Under Review Version 1 posted 10 You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract This study proposed an inertial sensor-based cycling pedaling technology smoothness assessment method, aiming to accurately quantify the crank rotation angular velocity fluctuation during cycling, and provided an objective basis for cycling technology assessment. In this study, we constructed models to evaluate single-lap pedaling smoothness (SSP), left- and right-foot pedaling smoothness (SLP, SRP), and pedaling balance index (PBI), and collected crank kinematic data from 10 subjects at 90 W and 130 W power and 60 rpm speed using inertial measurement unit, and also collected data from 3 times of 1000 m training rides of outstanding athletes. The validity of the model was verified by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), and the results showed that at 90 W, SSP (F (9,90) = 2.558, p = 0.011), SRP (F (9,90) = 2.399, p = 0.017), and SLP (F (9,90) = 5.800, p < 0.001) were significantly different from each other, and at 130 W, SSP (F (9,90) = 2.399, p = 0.017) was significantly different from each other, and SSP (F (9,90) = 5.800, p < 0.001) was significantly different from each other. (9,90) = 4.610, p < 0.001), SRP (F (9,90) = 3.636, p = 0.001) and SLP (F (9,90) = 11.087, p < 0.001) at 130 W of power, with SLP demonstrating a highly significant difference (p < 0.001) in both power conditions. In addition, the technique was successfully applied to the athletes' actual riding, effectively monitoring the dynamic changes of SSP, SRP, SLP and PBI throughout the whole ride, confirming its usefulness in real riding scenarios. This study constructed a new evaluation system for the quantitative analysis of cycling pedaling technique and verified the potential application of inertial sensors in the field of sports biomechanics to provide scientific support for the optimization of cycling training. Physical sciences/Engineering Physical sciences/Engineering/Biomedical engineering Health sciences/Health care/Health services/Rehabilitation Cycling IMU Pedaling technique Measurement techniques Full Text Additional Declarations No competing interests reported. Cite Share Download PDF Status: Under Review Version 1 posted Editorial decision: Revision requested 02 Sep, 2025 Reviews received at journal 30 Aug, 2025 Reviewers agreed at journal 10 Aug, 2025 Reviews received at journal 02 Jul, 2025 Reviewers agreed at journal 22 Jun, 2025 Reviewers invited by journal 10 Jun, 2025 Editor assigned by journal 10 Jun, 2025 Editor invited by journal 27 May, 2025 Submission checks completed at journal 14 May, 2025 First submitted to journal 14 May, 2025 You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. We do this by developing innovative software and high quality services for the global research community. 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Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-6600352","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":469703603,"identity":"37b05755-c829-4e50-a594-573209002404","order_by":0,"name":"Guoyong Li","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"China Institute of Sport Science","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Guoyong","middleName":"","lastName":"Li","suffix":""},{"id":469703604,"identity":"51f82500-91cb-490a-8488-1bacd530d938","order_by":1,"name":"Xiangchen 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technique, Measurement techniques","lastPublishedDoi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-6600352/v1","lastPublishedDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-6600352/v1","license":{"name":"CC BY 4.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"manuscriptAbstract":"\u003cp\u003eThis study proposed an inertial sensor-based cycling pedaling technology smoothness assessment method, aiming to accurately quantify the crank rotation angular velocity fluctuation during cycling, and provided an objective basis for cycling technology assessment. In this study, we constructed models to evaluate single-lap pedaling smoothness (SSP), left- and right-foot pedaling smoothness (SLP, SRP), and pedaling balance index (PBI), and collected crank kinematic data from 10 subjects at 90 W and 130 W power and 60 rpm speed using inertial measurement unit, and also collected data from 3 times of 1000 m training rides of outstanding athletes. The validity of the model was verified by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), and the results showed that at 90 W, SSP (F (9,90)\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;2.558, p\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.011), SRP (F (9,90)\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;2.399, p\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.017), and SLP (F (9,90)\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;5.800, p\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.001) were significantly different from each other, and at 130 W, SSP (F (9,90)\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;2.399, p\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.017) was significantly different from each other, and SSP (F (9,90)\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;5.800, p\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.001) was significantly different from each other. (9,90)\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;4.610, p\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.001), SRP (F (9,90)\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;3.636, p\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.001) and SLP (F (9,90)\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;11.087, p\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.001) at 130 W of power, with SLP demonstrating a highly significant difference (p\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.001) in both power conditions. In addition, the technique was successfully applied to the athletes' actual riding, effectively monitoring the dynamic changes of SSP, SRP, SLP and PBI throughout the whole ride, confirming its usefulness in real riding scenarios. This study constructed a new evaluation system for the quantitative analysis of cycling pedaling technique and verified the potential application of inertial sensors in the field of sports biomechanics to provide scientific support for the optimization of cycling training.\u003c/p\u003e","manuscriptTitle":"IMU-Driven Biomechanical Smoothness Assessment for Cycling Pedaling Technique: An Evaluation Model with Real-Time Monitoring","msid":"","msnumber":"","nonDraftVersions":[{"code":1,"date":"2025-06-12 03:03:05","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-6600352/v1","editorialEvents":[{"type":"communityComments","content":0},{"type":"decision","content":"Revision requested","date":"2025-09-02T05:21:49+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2025-08-30T15:15:34+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"97688213632618711791430966458586865596","date":"2025-08-10T14:00:03+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2025-07-02T10:37:13+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"47772429454452211118923125204346543206","date":"2025-06-22T15:19:24+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewersInvited","content":"","date":"2025-06-10T11:28:37+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorAssigned","content":"","date":"2025-06-10T11:13:22+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvited","content":"","date":"2025-05-27T06:07:54+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"checksComplete","content":"","date":"2025-05-15T02:58:52+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"submitted","content":"Scientific Reports","date":"2025-05-15T02:57:42+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""}],"status":"published","journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"scientific-reports","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"scirep","sideBox":"Learn more about [Scientific Reports](http://www.nature.com/srep/)","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"","title":"Scientific Reports","twitterHandle":"","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":true,"editorialSystem":"stoa","reportingPortfolio":"Scientific Reports","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true}}],"origin":"","ownerIdentity":"9f193d4f-312e-43ad-b0ed-01e0c93ede62","owner":[],"postedDate":"June 12th, 2025","published":true,"recentEditorialEvents":[],"rejectedJournal":[],"revision":"","amendment":"","status":"under-review","subjectAreas":[{"id":49873205,"name":"Physical sciences/Engineering"},{"id":49873206,"name":"Physical sciences/Engineering/Biomedical engineering"},{"id":49873207,"name":"Health sciences/Health care/Health services/Rehabilitation"}],"tags":[],"updatedAt":"2025-10-06T10:38:34+00:00","versionOfRecord":[],"versionCreatedAt":"2025-06-12 03:03:05","video":"","vorDoi":"","vorDoiUrl":"","workflowStages":[]},"version":"v1","identity":"rs-6600352","journalConfig":"researchsquare"},"__N_SSP":true},"page":"/article/[identity]/[[...version]]","query":{"redirect":"/article/rs-6600352","identity":"rs-6600352","version":["v1"]},"buildId":"8U1c8b4HqxoKbykW_rLl7","isFallback":false,"isExperimentalCompile":false,"dynamicIds":[84888],"gssp":true,"scriptLoader":[]}