Question

What senses and movements are involved in riding a bike? How are the systems below involved in the in this action?
-The skeletal system
-The muscular system
-The integumentary system

Answer 1

There's a whole science involved with stuff like this, called biomechanics (includes the specialization field called ergonomics, a term I'm sure you've heard from time to time mentioned on product advertisements)

It's also been studied for a very long time, one of the first works comparing joints to the 3 classifications of levers in diagrams like this:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d5/Giovanni_Borelli_-_lim_joints_%28De_Motu_Animalium%29.jpg

What specifically are you seeking to know?

The skeletal system provides fixed distances and the structure in which the fulcrum can exist.

The muscular system provides the effort and turns chemical energy into mechanical energy (aka. work).

The integumentary system is primarily composed of your skin organ (yes, skin itself is an organ) and primarily serves as protection against the environmental elements as well as a major control in maintaining body temperature homeostasis.



Does this answer your question or are you after something more specific? (if so, you need to specify please)

Answer 2

It does, but what more specifically though. I can't write your essay for you, ya know? ^_^

Bikes are two-stroke, two pedal action. If you put a toe-clamp or a shoe-clamp on it changes the dynamics of what muscles are used as well (i.e.: you put effort into your upstroke too as well as your downstroke).

There are lots of muscle groups used, primarily the quadriceps, hamstrings (a set of muscle groups behind your thigh), and calf muscles (another set of muscles located behind (dorsal of) your tibia). But then each of those are attached to various tendons. And there are supporting ligaments (attach bone to bone) and other muscle groups to stabilize (Ever seen how wobbly those walking robots are? They don't have the same level of stabilization control that the human body does).

It's a very deep topic, like any science. How deep depends on what questions you want to ask and research into. And hey, ask a question nobody has asked before and you might make a scientific discovery you can name. :-)

Answer 3

Something that might help: Write down a list of the extensors and flexors in the leg for humans. It takes maybe a few seconds on Google to find some lists and nice images for yourself :D

Answer 4

Then, THINK VISUALLY. When you move a pedal down, what muscles are you working? And when you move up? You can do this even if you just sit in a chair and move a leg around :D

Answer 5

Here's something you should definitely read:
http://www.fitnessvenues.com/uk/biomechanics-of-cycling

Answer 6

See the articles listed at the bottom of that page? Those are scholarly sources! :-D