The joint motions obtained during standardized
ergometer cycling might be compared with thenormal range of motion of the hip, knee, and ankle
joint^'.^'^^ or the lower limb joint motions obtained
during other activities such as level ~ a l k i n g ~ ' . ~ ~ , ~ ~
or stair ~alking.~
The normal range of motion has been investigated
by different authors (Table 1). A comparison
of these studies indicated that the hip ROM utilized
during normal ergometer cycling measured
approximately 28% of the normal hip range of
motion (Table 1). The knee ROM during cycling
measured about 45% of the normal range of
motion, and the ankle ROM about 40%.
In Figure 4 the lower limb kinematics during
level walking and stair walking studied by others
have been compared to the results of the present
study.2~21~2D3.u2r5in g cycling the magnitudes of
the hip, knee, and ankle joint ROM were similar
to the ROM utilized during normal gait. However,
the hip and knee joints were much more flexed
and the ankle joint more dorsiflexed during cycling
compared to walking. With a reasonable and not
extreme increase of the saddle height the joint
motions obtained during cycling will be more equal
to the one utilized during level walking. The use
of the posterior foot position will also increase the
magnitude of hip and knee joint extension