Foot | Knee Pain While Cycling | Ergonomics Expert SQlab

Knee pain while cycling?

The cause of knee pain varies but is usually related to the position on the bike and the position of the foot. If the foot or pedal is not properly aligned, this directly affects the load on the knee joint. In addition to the correct adjustment of the cleats SQlab insoles support the foot for optimal pressure distribution and better power transmission. For a natural foot position, we offer our pedals in different axle lengths.

CAUSES Knee pain while cycling

1. Caus

One sided load

2. Cause

Malalignment of the leg axis

3. Cause

Restricted joint movement

Knee pain - unnatural foot placement

CAUSE - one-sided load

Pedals with a short axis usually allow only a parallel foot position

SQlab solution

different axle lengths for a natural foot position

Conventional pedals force the feet into an almost parallel foot position. The extended axis of the SQlab pedals allows a physiological, more natural foot position. This prevents one-sided loading - especially in the case of fibula head syndrome.

Our pedals are available in up to four axle lengths.

Short -5mm

Standard

Long +8mm

Xlong + 15mm

Shorter axle

These pedals are rarely needed but still have their place in our product line-up. These pedals can be used by cyclists with small shoe sizes that have a parallel foot position, herewith reducing the Q-factor. Especially in combination with a small sit bone distance and small hip width it makes a lot of sense to keep the feet as close as possible.

Middle sized axle

The standard dimensioned pedal axle for all cyclists, that in all fairness, can also ride with regular pedals as offered from the leading manufacturers of this product segment without any problems.

Longer axle

This is important for riders who’s natural foot position is “V” shaped when viewed from above. If the feet are placed parallel on the pedals, this no longer corresponds to the natural position of the feet and knee issues can be the result. If you are affected by such a problem, especially if pain is experienced on the outside of the knees at the fibula / fibula head, then your feet should be positioned on the pedals in a more natural position is replicated. Most clipless pedals allow sufficient repositioning of the cleats for adjustment to this improved position. Usually this results in the heels clipping the chainstays or rubbing on the cranks. The longer axle of the SQlab pedals will provide the additionally required space for the improved foot position.

The other case where the longer SQlab pedal axles are often a solution is with large shoe sizes, typically from about size 45 upwards where the heels often polish the cranks with standard pedals.

Movement

Throughout a pedal turn, the foot tends to make a slight rotation. Almost all clipless pedals allow this slight rotation of the foot. Out of this reason, regular platform pedals should not be too grippy even if slipping-off presents a slight risk. Pedals with a large platform area and extremely good grip through pins that dig deeply into the sole of your shoes can cause a twisting of your knees when riding but also when getting off your bike.

Plattform area

The platform area on the SQlab pedals is always horizontal. Humans have been used to walking on even ground for millions of years. Even if the pedaling motion is still very new to the biomechanical development of humans, the foot angle is still a very individual measurement. The positioning of the foot is best performed with the shoe on and with insoles in place.

Knee pain - Malalignment of the leg axis

CAUSE - malposition in the knee

due to X- or O-legs

SQlab solution

insoles that support the respective weak point

Due to instability or muscular imbalances, the knee can move inward or outward from the leg axis while standing or pedaling (also called O-leg or X-leg). The resulting one-sided strain can cause knee pain.

Especially with more pronounced leg axes and foot arches, the musculature around the knee joint and ankle joint is strongly overstrained without support and is permanently brought into an unnatural position (knee tilts inward or outward).

Due to the resulting muscular tension and instability, the longitudinal arch is permanently overstrained and promotes knee pain. Depending on the foot type (based on the SQlab foot type determination), SQlab insoles support the arch of the foot to varying degrees in order to compensate for misalignments in the leg axes. This can reduce symptoms of fatigue and knee pain.

Therefore, it is clear that in addition to the foot type the leg axis is also important for the selection of the correct support level.

X – legs

For pronounced X-legs, the longitudinal arch support on the SQlab insole falls higher to straighten the foot and bring the knee outward into a natural position and straighten the leg axis.

O-legs

In the case of pronounced o-legs, however, the longitudinal arch support of SQlab insoles is lower. Due to the matching increase in the outer forefoot area, the insole gives the foot additional stability to the outside even with high force application and supports the natural foot position. In this way, the bending of the pedal axle and the wider Q-factor on the MTB is also compensated.

Attention. Insoles do not make any orthopedic correction to the foot, but distribute the pressure optimally on the pedal.

Knee pain due to restricted joint movement

Cause - restricted joint movement

Through a static position on the pedal.

SQlab solution

Pedals with a lateral freedom of movement for a physiologically correct pedaling motion.

Freedom starts at the foot

Previous studies have proven that releasing the axial rotation of clipless pedals by 10° can reduce the potential for overuse injuries in the knees. SQlab has used these findings to be the first supplier on the market to develop an active pedal for an ergonomic pedaling movement that is easy on the knees. While freedom of movement (float) of up to 10° is already common with clipless pedals, the foot stands statically on a city pedal with grip. The SQlab 502 active pedal is the first city pedal with lateral freedom of movement and good grip at the same time.

What is the advantage of this freedom of movement?

+ Natural movement of the foot

+ Foot position is determined by the knee

+ Knee joint is relieved

The position of the foot on the pedal has a direct influence on the rotation axis in the knee joint. An unnaturally twisted position of the feet on the pedal also causes a rotation of the lower leg and changes the natural joint movement in the knee. The one-sided load can lead to pain and increased wear of the joint.

Structure of the pedal:

Thanks to its patented flex mechanism, the 502 active pedal allows a horizontal rotation of up to +/-10° and thus a lateral foot movement in the course of one pedal rotation.

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