Association between ergonomic risk factors and musculoskeletal pain among fixie bike cyclists

Abstract

Ergonomics is a field that seeks to design tools, equipment, and tasks to optimize human capabilities and accommodate human limitations. This study applied the ergonomic approach for analysis of human body pains while using the Fixie bike in cycling activites. The main objective of this study is to obtain the correlation between the ergonomic risk factors and corresponding level of musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) within the Fixie bike cycling activity and to provide control measures for ergonomic related problems. This research study has been done in three main areas of Fixie bike activity around Johor Bharu, namely at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) Skudai, Danga Bay and Hutan Bandar Johor Bharu. A survey was carried out to identify the Fixie bike cyclist’s background and, ergonomic risk factors that lead to uncomfortable pain and the level of MSD among the Fixie bike cyclists. Statistical analysis was carried out on 130 respondents by focusing on the general opinion on ergonomic risk factors and MSD among Fixie bike cyclists. A detailed analysis was done on the correlation between ergonomic risk factors and the level of MSD of Fixie bike cyclists. As a result, most cylists reported that the Fixie bike pedals need high skill and energy. Also Fixie bike pedal design, Fixie bike saddle design/ uncomfortable saddle and the height of Fixie bike are significant by associated with hip, ankle/foot and knee pain among cyclists based on correlation analysis using SPSS software. The recommended personal protective knowledge and its implementation based on the cyclist riding technique help to reduce MSD problems when cycling.