Many of us ride a bike without a thought of how we are functionally moving.
Next time you ride take a moment to feel through your stride;
are you pushing and pulling evenly?
do you rotate more through your pelvis or torso to one side?
are your shoulders elevating?
is your pelvis and spine in neutral?
are you utilizing your core?
are your knees tracking in alignment?
Cycling incorporates all of your major leg muscle groups at different phases. This can be wonderful for strengthening but overuse or compensation for a weak zone may cause an imbalance leading to cycling pain.
A Myotherapist will be able to assess if you have any restrictions or abnormalities in joint range of motion, strength deficits and help you address these possible sources of injury.
There are 2 main phases of the pedal cycle; the power phase and the recovery phase. If you imagine the pedal cycle as a clock face and you start with the pedal at 12 o'clock, this is known as Top Dead Centre (TDC). The pedal is then pushed down from 12 until 6 o'clock, this position is known as Bottom Dead Centre (BDC). The phase between the 2 is known as the Power Phase where all the force is generally generated to propel the bike forward.
The transition from BDC back up to TDC is known as the Recovery Phase. Now not all of the muscles just switch of during this phase, it just is not as active as the Power Phase.
Common Cycling Conditions/ Causes Of Pain
-Achilles Tendinopathy
-Adductor Tendinopathy
-Disc Herniation
-Knee Bursitis
-Calf muscle strain
-Carpal Tunnel
-Facet Joint pain
-Degenerative Disc Disease
-Lower Limb Compartment Syndrome
-Groin Strain
-Medial Epicondylitis (Golfer's Elbow)
-Hamstring Strain
-Hip Osteoarthritis
-Gluteal tendinopathy
-ITB Syndrome
-Knee Osteoarthritis
-Ligament Sprains
-Shoulder Impingement
-Sacroiliac Joint Pain
-Trochanteric Bursitis
-Neck headache
-Muscle strain
-Patella Tendinopathy
-Patella femoral Pain Syndrome
-Pes Planus (flat feet)
-Piriformis Syndrome
-Meniscus Tear
-Rotator Cuff Injury
-Muscle Imbalances
To book your initial consultation and treatment Phone 03 9042 2053 or book online www.euphoriacafeandwellness.com.au
Euphoria Wellness Centre & Cafe
734 Burke Rd, Camberwell 3124
Ph 03 9042 2053
www.euphoriacafeandwellness.com.au
References:
Cycle Season is Here in Vancouver, How is your Pedal Stoke? http://www.mypersonaltrainervancouver.com/cycle-season-is-here-in-vancouver-how-is-your-pedal-stroke/ (accessed 27 May 2016)
Jump up ↑ Burt P. Bike Fit. Bloomsbury: London. 2014
Jump up ↑ Wozniak CA. Cycling Biomechanics: A literature Review. Journal of Sports Physical Therapy. 1991;14(3):106-113
Jump up ↑ CA Wilber, C1 Holland, RE Madison, 5F Loy. An Epidemiological Analysis of Overuse Injuries Among Recreational Cyclists. Int. J. Sports Med. 1995;16(3): 201 -206.