Perineum pressure distribution among various bicycle saddles

Jazmin Cruz, Mario Garcia, Elizabeth Jackson, James Yang

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

Cycling is a widely popular exercise that is known to provide great health benefits. However, it has been questioned if cycling is responsible for genital numbness or Erectile Dysfunction (ED) due to compression of the perineum between the rider and the bicycle saddle. This study compares the perineal pressure distribution between three saddles (ISM, 3 West, and Fizik) for healthy, active male cyclists and a saddle recommendation is made. Using their own bikes, participants perform six randomized cycling trials (two per saddle) while sitting on a piezo-resistive pressure mat. Participants were asked to qualitatively rate the saddles after each trial. The quantitative results favor the ISM saddle due to its lower perineal pressure values, but the qualitative perceived comfort from the cyclists is split.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publication40th Computers and Information in Engineering Conference (CIE)
PublisherAmerican Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)
ISBN (Electronic)9780791883983
DOIs
StatePublished - 2020
EventASME 2020 International Design Engineering Technical Conferences and Computers and Information in Engineering Conference, IDETC-CIE 2020 - Virtual, Online
Duration: Aug 17 2020Aug 19 2020

Publication series

NameProceedings of the ASME Design Engineering Technical Conference
Volume9

Conference

ConferenceASME 2020 International Design Engineering Technical Conferences and Computers and Information in Engineering Conference, IDETC-CIE 2020
CityVirtual, Online
Period08/17/2008/19/20

Keywords

  • Bicycle Saddles
  • Cycling
  • Erectile Dysfunction
  • Impotence
  • Perineum

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Perineum pressure distribution among various bicycle saddles'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this