An in-depth look at our technology in bike fitting: Metaphors from Nature

In the world of bikefitting, we strive to offer every cyclist the perfect balance between comfort and performance. Recently, we have taken an exciting step forward through the integration of very advanced cameras into our bikefitting processes. This innovative technology has taken our insight into the biomechanics of cycling to an entirely new level. In this blog, we take you on a journey through the fascinating world of infrared imaging, enriched with metaphors from nature to make this complex material understandable and engaging.

The Magic of Infrared Imaging

Imagine a vast forest, where every tree represents a muscle and every stream of water symbolises the blood supply. Just as a forest can suffer under drought, muscles and joints can suffer from a lack of optimal blood flow and oxygen supply. Thermal cameras work like the eyes of an experienced forest ranger, who notices and understands the subtle changes in the forest.

The Warmth of the Sun

When the sun rises, it warms the forest and reveals the hidden signs of life. In the same way, an infrared camera reveals heat patterns in a cyclist’s body. These patterns can indicate increased metabolic activity or inflammation. For example, below you see an infrared image of someone with a knee inflammation on the left.

In a recent session, we saw increased heat in a leg where the oxygen levels were lower. This was like a ray of sunshine warming a dried-up riverbed, a sign of problems lying beneath the surface. Kevin Van Staeyen - Bikefit Van Staeyen

In a recent session, we saw increased heat in a leg where the oxygen levels were lower. This was like a ray of sunshine warming a dried-up riverbed, a sign of problems lying beneath the surface.

Kevin Van Staeyen - Bikefit Van Staeyen

The Path of the River

A healthy blood supply is comparable to a smoothly flowing river. When the flow is blocked, problems can arise upstream and downstream. During our analyses with our additional infrared sensors, we measure oxyhaemoglobin (O2Hb) and deoxyhaemoglobin (HHb) to assess the oxygen supply and use in the muscles. Compare this to a river that contains both clear, oxygen-rich water and darker, oxygen-poor water. In the case of our cyclist, we saw an imbalance in these values between the legs, which led to reduced muscle activity and increased heat, just like a river with blockages that disrupts the natural flow.

The Rainforests of the Muscles

Our muscles are like rainforests, rich in life and diversity. Infrared cameras enable us to view these rainforests from the inside and to distinguish the warm, active zones from the cooler, less active areas. Just as some parts of the rainforest receive more rain and are more lush, some muscles display higher activity and warmth. In our bikefits, we discovered that asymmetrical loading of the legs led to an uneven heat distribution, comparable to an unevenly fed rainforest.

The ultimate goal of our analyses is to restore harmony in the cyclist’s body, just as a conservationist strives to preserve the delicate balance in nature. By adjusting the length of the cranks and distributing the load more evenly, we can optimise the blood supply and improve performance. This process is comparable to restoring the natural water flow in a river, allowing the entire ecosystem to flourish.

Conclusion

The integration of infrared cameras into our bikefitting processes has given us a deeper understanding of the complex interactions within a cyclist’s body. Just as nature teaches us about the delicate balance and coherence of ecosystems, we learn through imaging and EMG analyses (Electromyography) how to help cyclists reach their full potential.

Our investment in this groundbreaking technology is not only a step forward in the world of bikefitting, but also a commitment to our clients to provide them with the best possible care and guidance. Together, we can help every cyclist to ride in harmony with their body, just as nature intended.

Example of someone with a numb left hand due to increased asymmetry. Note in particular the increased pressure on the left brake lever.

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