Cycling is a great form of activity for people of all ages
and fitness levels, from the regular commute to work and recreational rides or
taking it to a professional level. It is evident and indeed fantastic to see
that Victoria is seeing a rapidly growing number of bikes on its roads.
Due to this growth, we are also seeing a large number of
irregular riding commuters become confident cycling enthusiasts that are
partaking in regular and longer rides and even challenging themselves in
events.
I was delighted to take part in this year’s 210km Bupa
Around the Bay event, I was in awe when I witnessed an incredible 14,000
participants take part. This event was a true spectacle of the versatility of
cyclists we have in Victoria, from the young to old. However on the down side,
my practitioner side couldn’t help but notice how many of these cyclists
weren’t even doing a warm up. I was in sheer disbelief; did these people
honestly think they could finish this exhausting 10 hour event without even
stretching?
Sooner or later, each of us will experience a cycling injury
or two. This brings me to the following;
The truth is that our bodies are not efficient at exercising
while on a saddle. With the joys of regular cycling, come the possibilities of
experiencing injuries such us lower back pain, numbing of toes, neck and
shoulder tightness, knee overuse, calf and hamstring strain, etc. These
injuries are most commonly caused by intrinsic and/or extrinsic factors.
An intrinsic factor is usually caused by muscular
weaknesses, skeletal immaturity, lack of or nil warm up and cool down, etc.
Listed below are a few of the most common types of intrinsic injuries in
cycling;
-
Tendonitis (knee, Achilles, hips…)
-
Muscle tears (calves, hamstrings…)
-
Stress fractures
-
Ligament strains
-
Postural (neck, shoulders…)
An extrinsic factor is created by exterior forces or objects;
-
Faulty bike setup
-
Poor riding technique
-
Cycling shoes and cleats
-
Helmet type
-
Terrain
To effectively deal with intrinsic and extrinsic factors, a
prompt response is required and this is often the difference between riding
with or without prolonged injuries.
So what are you
waiting for? Visit the local
bike store and find a professional bike fitter to ensure you are well
positioned on your bike and are riding with absolute efficiency. Of course, you
can come to First Place Osteopathy and consult Michael or myself to help you
deal with your cycling matters. Happy riding!
Danny Shaheen – remedial massage therapist FPO.
