Cycling Study

Participant Recruitment:

You are being invited to participate as a volunteer in a research study involving cyclists. The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of using angled wedges in a cycling shoe, on muscle and joint action while cycling. It is being conducted by Sinead FitzGibbon, a doctoral student in the Orthopedic and Sports Physical Therapy Program, at Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions in Utah, in
conjunction with Stony Brook University in NY.

You are invited to participate if you meet the following criteria:
*If you are a Female cyclist, with 2+ years of competitive cycling
experience.
*If you currently use clipless pedal systems (shoe cleat clips into pedal)
*If you are not currently pregnant.

Procedures of the study will be as follows:
1. Complete a brief questionnaire about your cycling training program and any history of injury to the knee.
2. Have markers and electrodes placed on your trunk, legs, and feet with cables connecting your muscles to the computer.
3. Ride a stationary bicycle under varying levels of resistance while being videotaped and monitored on a computer.
4. Repeat the testing using 4 different wedge angles under the cleats.

If you decide to be in this study, your part will involve:

*One-time attendance for research to be conducted at the RRAMP (Rehabilitation Research and Movement Performance Laboratory) on the SUNY Stony Brook University Campus.
* The study in the lab should take a total of 2 hours, with cycling on the bike taking 30' of this time. The set-up with markers takes 15-20 minutes, the initial measurements takes 15 minutes, the varying resistance test takes 5 minutes and each measurement with the different shoes takes 3-5
minutes. The remainder of the time is spent between measurements, without cycling.
* The questionnaire should take 2-5 minutes to complete. You will be asked about the number of years you have been cycling competitively, the average weekly mileage you train, any knee pain while cycling and any action you took i.e. visit to a doctor, physical therapist, or use of orthotics, wedges etc. in your shoes or cycling cleats.
*The follow up phone call will take place at the end of the cycling season,
and will ask you about any knee pain that you may have had while training or racing, and any action that you took to deal with the pain.
* You will be free to not answer any question that you do not wish to answer in the questionnaire, or lab.
* Your privacy is assured, and your information about participation (contact information, personal measurements etc.) will remain confidential.
* You will be given a gift certificate to the value of $25.00 for your participation in this study.

If you are interested in participating in this study, please contact me at the
email / phone numbers below.

Thank you for your consideration.
Yours, Sinead FitzGibbon, PT
sineadfitz@me.com
631.484.5416