In the analysis around the pros' positions on their TT bikes, a couple comments were made about how they don't rotate their hips the same way tri fits are made. They tend to not rotate their hips and get most of the bend from their back. On this board there is often encouragement to rotate your hips to get into a better position and relieve pressure on the lower back. Is this one of the situations where pros can physically do something normal guys can't? Are they not concerned with running afterwards so recruit different muscle groups? Any insight into the differences?
Triathlon Forum
Login required to started new threads
Login required to post replies
Re: Hip rotation - pros vs ST [mkng1]
[ In reply to ]
I ride with my hips back like you describe how the pro's do it. I also have very good back flexibility.
Re: Hip rotation - pros vs ST [mkng1]
[ In reply to ]
I'm not vaguely an expert, but I'll try an explanation. The bike pros spend nearly all their time riding a road bike where such anterior hip rotation wouldn't work. Their bodies are adapted to the non-rotation position and they likely would have difficulty generating the same power levels if they would rotate for their time trial efforts.
Re: Hip rotation - pros vs ST [hugoagogo]
[ In reply to ]
I totally get this for most roadies, but this appears to be the case for even TT specialists. If it were advantageous to rotate their hips I would think some of them would give it a try. It could be similar to tilted aerobars where in some ways tri athletes are ahead of the curve in some aspects but this seems like a more fundamental idea.
Re: Hip rotation - pros vs ST [mkng1]
[ In reply to ]
the harder you ride (in terms of watts:kg), the harder it is to achieve good pelvic rotation. plus, if you ride "reactively" you're never going to be the type of athlete that really "settles" into a good, relaxed position.
Re: Hip rotation - pros vs ST [jkhayc]
[ In reply to ]
The watts/kg makes a bunch of sense. Holding aero is much tougher as I get around and above FTP. That at least intuitively makes a lot of sense.
Re: Hip rotation - pros vs ST [jkhayc]
[ In reply to ]
How are you defining "good pelvic rotation"
"Good" as in it looks prettier in a photo?
"Good" as in it is more aero?
"Good" as in a person produces the most power?
"Good" as in it looks prettier in a photo?
"Good" as in it is more aero?
"Good" as in a person produces the most power?
Re: Hip rotation - pros vs ST [jaretj]
[ In reply to ]
"Good"
=
alleviating stress on lower back while allowing for a steep and relaxed position in the aerobars that is aerodynamic, efficient, and moderately powerful, most suited for long course athletes where there should be a higher focus on efficiency as opposed to power output.
=
alleviating stress on lower back while allowing for a steep and relaxed position in the aerobars that is aerodynamic, efficient, and moderately powerful, most suited for long course athletes where there should be a higher focus on efficiency as opposed to power output.
Re: Hip rotation - pros vs ST [jkhayc]
[ In reply to ]
I understand
Re: Hip rotation - pros vs ST [jkhayc]
[ In reply to ]
jkhayc wrote:
alleviating stress on lower back...Posterior pelvic tilt doesn't mean the lower back is stressed. It can be the normal relaxed posture for some (many?). Although I will grant it's kinda hard to brace the lower back muscles at all when you have anterior tilt.
Re: Hip rotation - pros vs ST [rruff]
[ In reply to ]
It could be influenced by people's degree of flexibility. Rotating your pelvis forward is to keep your hip angles open and be able to breathe and pedal without feeling scrunched. If you can bend farther forward without feeling scrunched, it seems like you might as well do it.
Re: Hip rotation - pros vs ST [HTupolev]
[ In reply to ]
HTupolev wrote:
Rotating your pelvis forward is to keep your hip angles open...That closes the hip/thigh angle. What angle are you opening?
rruff wrote:
HTupolev wrote:
Rotating your pelvis forward is to keep your hip angles open...That closes the hip/thigh angle. What angle are you opening?