Don’t let injury affect your Cycling
Cycling is one of the fastest growing sports in the UK and is enjoyed by athletes of all ages, genders and abilities.
Unfortunately, as with any sport, there is an associated risk of injury seen with cycling. There’s nothing more frustrating than injury preventing you from performing your sport – either performing pain free or reducing your ability to push yourself.
Cycling injuries are relatively common, but rarely too significant in terms of time out of sport. The most significant injuries are often traumatic and occur during collisions. The majority of cycling injuries however are over-use (or repetitive) injuries, and can affect the lumbar spine, back and neck.
Cyclists preparing for the off on the Kelly’s Cycle Challenge
What is known (research-proven) about Cycling injuries?
- Injury incidence in both men and women varies from:
- Overuse injuries are more likely to occur than traumatic injuries
- The most common cycling injuries we see in clinic are injuries to the lower back, neck and Hamstring.
- Less experienced cyclists are more likely to sustain injuries than experienced cyclists.
- Significant changes to training (increase in distance, time or type of terrain) are significant contributors to injury risk
- Poor bike fitting is significantly correlated to cycling specific injury
- Increasing strength and control of the core and lower limb musculature significantly contribute to reduce injury risk
Cycles at the ready for Kelly’s Cycle Challenge
What does this mean for the average Cyclist?
- Cycling is a very safe sport for people of all ages, genders and abilities. Although some exercise associated pain is common, significant injury is rare.
- Cycling can be an excellent sport for those with compromised joints; many people unable to perform exercises with higher joint forces (i.e. running) find cycling an excellent way to stay fit and healthy.
- Cycling injuries CAN occur, and tend to be associated with overload – so managing how much demand we place upon the body is vital to manage injury risk.
- Rapid changes in distance, time, speed or type of terrain increase injury risk – so controlling how we change demand upon the body controls injury risk.
- Ensuring optimal health and performance does not just equate to more time on the bike; ensuring you follow a structured, thorough strengthening and conditioning program is vital to reducing injury risk and improving performance.
- Appropriate warm downs and warm ups can further help reduced injury.
- Ensuring your bike is properly fitted to your body is important for long term health and performance.
Before you jump on you bike for a long trip, do think about the machine’s capability, and your own. Make sure both are ready for the challenge!
Did you know:
Our Physiotherapist Jack Hill has long worked with cyclists of all abilities; Jack worked closely with Rapha Cycle Club and their elite riders during his time working in Central London. This involved working not just with injured riders to ensure safe, speedy return to cycling (and prevention of recurrence) but working with the “fit” riders to ensure optimal performance by way of strength and conditioning.
Physiotherapy isn’t just about ‘hands-on’ treatment in clinic (although this is often important) but also rehabilitation and restoration of joint and tissue mobility; strength, muscle timing and muscle balance; balance, agility and proprioception; and the development of self-help maintenance, personal improvement and injury-prevention programs.
Bevan Wilson are delighted to support local cycling clubs and riders via education sessions, open day attendance, screening clinics, E-mail injury advice and physiotherapy assessment and treatment.
If you have any experiences you would like to share with others, please feel free to use the text box below.
We can offer further support and guidance, just call us on 01483 424 505, or email info@bevanwilson.co.uk
