The impact of ankle immobility on sprint cycling performance: Implications for para-cycling classification

This repository contains all raw and processed data, as well as analysis code for Boot et al. (2026, preprint), "The impact of ankle immobility on sprint cycling performance: Implications for para-cycling classification". doi: 10.64898/2026.05.12.723700 The para-cycling classification system aims to minimize the impact of impairments on competition outcomes with the help of scientific evidence. This study investigated the impact of unilateral and bilateral ankle immobility on cycling performance, quantified by the maximal average mechanical power output (AMPO) over one revolution relative to that without ankle immobility. For this, well-trained non-disabled cyclists performed all-out sprints on a cycle ergometer with and without ankle foot orthoses (AFOs) immobilizing the ankle joint. The dataset contains the raw data (.csv, .ndf), the MATLAB code used to process the raw data (.m), and the processed data (.mat, .tiff, .avi). The latter includes processed data concerning: maximal AMPO; ankle, knee and hip joint AMPO; and the amount of muscle excitation for four leg muscles. The statistical findings, figures and an animation of these outcome measures are also included.