Automated data collection and processing for a concentric/eccentric cycle ergometer

A system for collection and processing of data from a concentric/eccentric high intensity cycle ergometer is described. Each cycle pedal is fitted with transducers to measure pedal angle relative to the crank and foot forces both perpendicular and parallel to the pedal surface. An additional transducer monitors crank position. Output signals are conditioned, amplified, digitized by a 12 bit A/D converter, fed into a computer at 100 Hz per channel, and mathematically smoothed to attenuate noise. For each sample interval, foot force components perpendicular and parallel to the crank arm are calculated. Power generated by subjects on each crank revolution is determined from transducer information. Computer graphics display pedalling parameters vs. crank angle in both rectangular and circular format. Data files containing variables descriptive of pedalling parameter curves are produced to enable computerized statistical analysis of cycling performance.