SADDLE PRESSURE DISTRIBUTION IN CYCLING: COMPARISON AMONG SADDLES OF DIFFERENT DESIGN AND MATERIALS

Renato Rodano¹, Roberto Squadrone², Massimiliano Sacchi², Alberto Marzegan².

¹Dipartimento di Bioingegneria, Politecnico di Milano. ²Centro di Bioingegneria, Politecnico di Milano - Fnd. Don Gnocchi I.R.C.C.S., Milan, Italy.

This study compared saddle pressure distribution patterns in a group of experienced cyclists riding their own bicycle mounting different saddle models. Two traditional flat surface saddles incorporating different shock-absorbent materials in the perineal area and two innovative saddles with a hole in the perineal area were evaluated. The T-Scan system was utilised to measure the saddle pressure distribution. Each subject showed an individual pressure distribution pattern when using the same saddle. The use of the different saddles resulted in same significant changes in the saddle pressure amplitude and distribution pattern in all the subjects examined. In general, the flat surfaced saddles showed a more uniform pressure distribution with less pressure on the anterior part and more on the posterior part compared with the saddle with a perineal hole.