Ergonomic consideration is an important consideration for a well-designed bicycle. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of seat height on the rider's physiological and psychological responses during riding. Riding comfort was assessed based on an electromyogram measurement from the lower limbs,upper limbs, hips, and trunk of the body. A questionnaire utilizing Borg's scale and SD scale were also used to determine riders' subjective opinions regarding riding comfort. The relationship between riding comfort and seat height was then established from the regression curve of the physiological and psychological responses with respect to the seat height. Using these regression curves,one can determine the optimum seat height for the comfortable riding posture. The results of this study can be used to develop a riding simulation model on a computer, which may benefit the manufacturers and the designers in the area of ergonomic bicycle design. The research using CAD systems looks for the standard parameters of bicycle construction to set up a computer-simulated riding model. After creating a data bank of riders' physiological and psychological responses, one can analyze the parameters of the comfortable riding model with computer simulation, including seat height and height of handlebars. The results of this research were listed below. (1) The EMG of lower body decrease with seat heights significantly. The Borg's values of total comfort sensation decrease with seat heights also; (2) Both the EMG of lower body and the Borg's values of total comfort sensation decrease with handle heights; (3) By using the comfortable riding model with computer simulation, we can catch the optimum seat heights,handle heights,the EMG of lower body and the Borg's values of total comfort sensation.Those will benefit the design of bicycle. The computer simulation model established by this system will improve the development of ergonomic analysis of bicycles and help design more comfortable bicycle for riding.
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