Sydney Chiropractic Care Elite Cycling Injuries

Elite cyclists are facing higher risk with advances in bike technology and training. Cycling is an excellent exercise but taking it to an elite level can lead to a variety of health problems. The latest advances in bicycle design and technology, coupled with more aggressive training, has led to a higher incidence of injuries among competitive cyclists but can be cured by Sydney Chiropractic Care made possible by Chirosports Cogee.
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Pain in the lower back, knee, shoulder, and neck, as well as stiffness and numbness in the hands are common ailments among riders who spend long hours on their bikes. A study of 51 elite riders over a six-year period (2003 to 2009) showed a ten percent increase in traumatic injuries (38.4 percent to 48.6 percent). When compared to a group of 65 professional cyclists surveyed from 1983 to 1995, the racers in today’s circuit - with current technology and training - are experiencing higher traumatic injuries: 0.98 per current racer versus 0.54 per racer in the earlier period. Overuse injuries were also higher in today’s competitive circuit: 1.04 per racer in the latest study group versus .86 per racer in the earlier research. The rates were measured per rider, per year, and per 1000 kilometers of riding.

Advances in bicycle design over the past 20 years have resulted in sleeker, faster bikes. Racing at higher speeds, particularly in packed fields of riders, is a surefire recipe for disaster. Cyclists are putting more strain on their bodies and with increased competition on the race circuit, their training regimens have added to the physical stresses. In fact, the majority of injuries occur prior to major events, during which competitors push themselves to train even harder.
The most common overuse injury among professional cyclists is patellofemoral pain syndrome, which accounts for about one-fourth of all cycling injuries. Patellofemoral pain syndrome, also known as runner’s knee’, is caused by excessive stress on the knee, causing a dull, aching pain where the knee connects with the femur. In cyclists, the condition is most often caused by a saddle or cleat that is positioned too low. Patellofemoral pain can also come from the downward push of the pedal stroke. Erik Moen, PT, CSCS, a longtime cyclist, says the solution is about working the entire circumference of the pedal stroke. When you think about the entire pedal stroke, you start to realise it is a skilled event.

Back strain is also common among professional cyclists, the result of leaning over the handlebars for extended periods. A study of 51 elite cyclists in 2010[2] showed that a muscle imbalance between the hamstrings and hip flexors, combined with weak hip extensors, lead to uncontrolled lower back movements. Cyclists with this problem were predisposed to overuse injuries.
Dr. Billy Chow, vice president of the Chiropractors Association of Australia SA pinpoints the source of many cycling injuries as biomechanical dysfunction of the spine and pelvis. Dr. Chow, who has worked with many professional cyclists at the Tour Down Under, says a combination of Sydney Chiropractic Care and proper bike fit can keep the cyclists’ bodies as well tuned as their bikes.

South Australian cycle champion and Olympic gold medalist Stuart O’Grady has been a professional cyclist for more than 17 years, a long career for this sport. At 37, he is an old-timer. He attributes his longevity to ongoing chiropractic care. I’ve always been treated around the world by and utilized the services of chiropractor, not just to heal, but to minimize the risk all year around. Lance Armstrong is a firm believer in chiropractic. During each of the seven Tour De France races he won, Armstrong was checked twice a day by his chiropractor.
The position a cyclist must endure for extended periods is not normal to the human body and therefore adds strain in many ways. Avid cyclists should have their biomechanics checked periodically by a chiropractor. Preventive care significantly reduces the risk of traumatic and overuse injuries that could impair performance or even sideline the competitor.