The effect of lateral bicycle sway on joint power and center of mass motion during standing cycling

Why do cyclists sway their bicycle from side to side when riding out of the saddle? We tested the theory that lateral bicycle sway may decrease the work performed by the rider on their center of mass (CoM) and also impact the contribution of power at the hip, knee and ankle during standing cycling. Our results show that the associated mechanical energy fluctuations due to vertical CoM displacement are significant. However, the amplitude of vertical CoM fluctuations and the distribution of leg power were unaffected by the constraint of lateral bicycle sway.