We created a simplified cycling model and a GUI concept for a teaching application.
The goal of the project is to create an interactive and enjoyable biomechanics teaching tool for high school students. The teaching tool will allow students to examine how muscle excitations and coordinations impact cycling speed. Students will be able to adjust the muscle excitations for the model as a function of the crank angle. The model includes the right leg with the feet attached to a pedal that is connected to a shaft and crank. The student will be walked through three levels. Level 1 focuses on the vasti and gluteus maximums in the down stroke. Level 2 focuses on the hamstrings in the upstroke. Level 3 focuses on the coordination of all the muscles in a multi-player race. The level structure is designed to give the students early success and to analyze how the different muscles interact with the crank angle during the down stroke and upstroke phases.