AbstractThe aim of this experiment was to quantify the effect of a wedge placed between the cycling shoe and the pedal on the kinematics of coronal-plane knee motion during steady-rate cycling. The subjects (n = 28) were filmed in the frontal plane as they rode their own bicycles mounted on stationary trainer. The pedaling rate was 90 rpm, and the load was adjusted to be similar to a moderate training pace. The subjects were divided into two groups. The first group (n = 15) rode a single time with the pedals in their normal position, whereas the second group (n = 13) made three rides: one with the pedal in its normal orientation, one with a 10° varus wedge between the pedal and shoe, and one with a 10° valgus wedge between the pedal and shoe. The paths of high-contrast markers (placed on each tibial tuberosity and one on the center of each pedal, as seen from the front) were recorded using 16-mm film. These data were digitized, and a value for the range of excursion and the axis of movement of the tibial marker on the left and right legs was determined. A repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) indicated that there was no significant difference in the range of motion across the three conditions. A repeated measures ANOVA of the shift in the vertical axis of the knee path was significant for one side but not the other. The data indicated that the wedge had the desired effect of moving the vertical axis of knee motion either away from or closer to the frame. It was concluded that wedging the foot on the pedal would not necessarily produce the desired results, as each rider might choose a different adjustment.