This study aimed to analyze the effects of different saddle heights on the kinematic characteristics and saddle pressure in preschool children and provide recommendations regarding saddle height. Method: Nine preschool children（age:4.6-5.7 years oldwith over two years of balance bike practice experience were filmed using a three-dimensional fixed-point shooting technique to capture their kinematic characteristics at different saddle heights. Fast-Move 1.2.4 software was used to calculate speed, joint angles, angular velocity, and trunk angle. Thin-film resistive pressure sensors were employed to measure saddle pressure 1. The hip joint angle at takeoff was smaller in the high saddle height compared to the original saddle height. The knee joint angular velocity at the original saddle height was higher than that at the low and medium saddle heights, and the ankle joint angular velocity at the original saddle height was higher than that at the medium saddle height. Trunk angles were greater in both the low and original saddle heights compared to the high saddle height. 2. The sensor values in the high saddle height were lower than those in the original saddle height, and the sensor values during riding in the medium saddle height were lower than both the original and low saddle heights. Saddle height has an impact on the kinematic characteristics and saddle pressure in children during competitive balance bike riding. A lower saddle height allows children to have a longer push-off duration, more effective force exertion by joints, and better acceleration. Additionally, children exhibit reduced forward tilt of the trunk and experience lower saddle pressure, resulting in improved safety and comfort.
Ji et al. (Thu,) studied this question.