OBJECTIVE: There is a common belief that seat pressure during cycling can compress specific neurovascular tissues over the perineum leading to genital pathologies. This topic has seldom been discussed for women. The present study was conducted to verify the effect of trunk position and saddle design on saddle pressure in both men and women. METHODS: Recreational cyclists (11 men and 11 women) were evaluated while seated on a bicycle. Saddle pressure was measured with F-scan insoles adapted for two saddle models (with and without a hole), and two trunk positions (upright and forwards). Pressure values were compared between trunk positions and saddles employing ANOVA. RESULTS: There were no statistical differences comparing saddle pressure between the two trunk positions for women. For men a statistical difference between the trunk positions for the saddle with a hole was found. Thus, the trunk forwards shift seems to affect the values of saddle pressure only for men using the 'holed' saddle. CONCLUSION: Saddle pressure for men was influenced by saddle design and trunk position only. This result indicates that the masculine anatomy may influence saddle pressure during bicycle. (c) 2009 S. Karger AG, Basel.
OBJECTIVE: There is a common belief that seat pressure during cycling can compress specific neurovascular tissues over the perineum leading to genital pathologies. This topic has seldom been discussed for women. The present study was conducted to verify the effect of trunk position and saddle design on saddle pressure in both men and women. METHODS: Recreational cyclists (11 men and 11 women) were evaluated while seated on a bicycle. Saddle pressure was measured with F-scan insoles adapted for two saddle models (with and without a hole), and two trunk positions (upright and forwards). Pressure values were compared between trunk positions and saddles employing ANOVA. RESULTS: There were no statistical differences comparing saddle pressure between the two trunk positions for women. For men a statistical difference between the trunk positions for the saddle with a hole was found. Thus, the trunk forwards shift seems to affect the values of saddle pressure only for men using the 'holed' saddle. CONCLUSION: Saddle pressure for men was influenced by saddle design and trunk position only. This result indicates that the masculine anatomy may influence saddle pressure during bicycle. (c) 2009 S. Karger AG, Basel.
Authors: Marsha K Guess; Sarah N Partin; Steven Schrader; Brian Lowe; Julie LaCombe; Susan Reutman; Andrea Wang; Christine Toennis; Arnold Melman; Madgy Mikhail; Kathleen A Connell Journal: J Sex Med Date: 2011-08-11 Impact factor: 3.802
Authors: Sarah N Partin; Kathleen A Connell; Steven Schrader; Julie LaCombe; Brian Lowe; Anne Sweeney; Susan Reutman; Andrea Wang; Christine Toennis; Arnold Melman; Madgy Mikhail; Marsha K Guess Journal: J Sex Med Date: 2012-03-05 Impact factor: 3.802