Each Practice Has Its Own Injury
Cycling, a sport enjoyed by cycle commuters, road cyclists, mountain bike enthusiasts, weekend cyclists, and many others, is well-loved for its numerous benefits. Indeed, as a "non-weight-bearing" sport, it isn't subject to constraints related to body weight. Thus, your body won't suffer from its own weight, as it does in swimming. Cycling is therefore much less traumatic for the body than running, for example. However, it's still important to pay attention to the signals your body may send you after such an activity. Indeed, even beneficial, this activity remains a sport and therefore one that strains your muscles, joints, or any other part of your musculoskeletal system.
Many of you cycle, and all in different ways. As you might expect, the injuries encountered by a cycle commuter will not be the same as those encountered by a regular road cyclist or a weekend cyclist. So let's take a quick look at the most common injuries you might encounter!
Injuries Related to Poor Bike Adjustment
You've probably experienced it already, but a poorly adjusted bike, whether in terms of size, saddle height, your sitting position, handlebar height, etc., leads to certain inconveniences such as the following:
- Neck pain
- Pain at pressure points (hands, buttocks, feet, etc.)
- Lower back pain
- Knee pain
So, if you feel any of these pains, it might be a good idea to adjust your bike again. Even if they are minor, these pains should not be ignored. Indeed, if you are in pain, you are more likely to adopt a bad posture and risk permanently injuring one of these body parts.
Injuries Related to Accidents
These will probably concern cycle commuters more, who are accustomed to urban environments and their dangers. But it's important to remember that no matter the environment in which you go for a ride, zero risk does not exist. That's why it's important to protect yourself well when cycling.
Bruises
Practically inevitable during trauma like a fall, you might notice a bruise or ecchymosis on your skin. This blue/red discoloration, which often turns yellow/green, is usually accompanied by swelling known as edema. But don't panic! An ecchymosis is simply evidence of blood accumulation under the skin due to the rupture of some blood vessels during your fall. However, the area can sometimes be painful to the touch.
Macro-traumas
This section covers more severe traumas sometimes linked to a bad fall, such as fractures or head traumas in the case of road accidents.
- Shoulder Fracture The main fracture when a cyclist falls on their shoulder. Such a fall can result in a severe fracture because the shoulder is poorly covered by muscles, making it vulnerable to such accidents.
- Knee Trauma Seemingly minor, these traumas, and more particularly knee-related pains, should be taken seriously. Indeed, if this trauma affects the patellofemoral joint, your cartilage could be affected, and this area is the most used when pedaling.
- Head Trauma Resulting from a blow to the head, these can be benign or serious when accompanied by complications such as cerebral hematomas.
Injuries Related to Repetitive Activity
Once again, these injuries will primarily concern those who use their bike regularly.
Tendonitis
Even if you haven't been a victim, I'm sure you've heard of the famous tendonitis. These mainly affect the patellar or quadriceps tendons. They appear when the practice is long and/or intense and if your saddle is poorly adjusted (too low or incorrectly positioned forward). Similarly, a saddle that is too high will tend to promote tendonitis at the back of the legs.
Iliotibial Band Syndrome
This syndrome, well-known among cyclists, concerns the tendon of the tensor fascia lata muscle, located in the thigh from the hip to the knee. It just goes to show that tendonitis is truly the bane of the cyclist... This syndrome appears after repeated flexion and extension. Indeed, these repetitions cause the tendon to rub against the bone, thus causing the inflammation that leads to tendonitis.
Injuries Related to Intensive Activity
This will concern cycling enthusiasts, and especially those who tend to push their limits. While it's good to challenge yourself, be careful not to overexert yourself.
External Iliac Artery Stenosis
Also known as arterial endofibrosis, this typical cyclist's pathology corresponds to a lengthening and/or thickening of a part of the iliac artery. What is the cause? The repeated movement of pedaling causes friction and thus a progressive decrease in the lumen of the vessel (endofibrosis). This results in a lack of blood and oxygen supply to the muscles. Unfortunately, for this pathology, there is only one possible solution: surgery. So, at the slightest sign of a lack of strength in the lower limbs during exertion with a cramping sensation, do not hesitate to consult a doctor.
Digestive Disorders
Well known by road cyclists, this problem is related to various factors:
- Prolonged supine position compressing the abdomen
- High oxidative power of foods rich in fast sugars
- Ischemia (decreased arterial blood supply to an organ) of the viscera in order to prioritize blood supply to the motor muscles
Exercise-induced Asthma
Known in many sports, cycling enthusiasts unfortunately do not escape it. For those who do not suffer from asthma at rest, exercise-induced asthma is then caused by inflammation of the bronchi linked to intensive practice. Difficult to detect, the warning signs are often wheezing, a cough after exercise, or a decrease in performance.
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