Utah MTB

Posts Tagged ‘Prevention’

Wesanator

Mountain Biking and indeed cycling in general is one of the most popular sports in the world. The reason for this is because there are so many things a bike can be used for, including competitive racing, getting to and from work each day or just as a bit of leisurely enjoyment. However, those who are keen cyclists are probably aware that if precautions aren’t taken, there are a number of repetitive-strain injuries that can occur from cycling, especially mountain biking. Here we examine the causes and preventive measures for 3 of the most common cycling-related injuries.
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A regular complaint from cyclists is that their hands feel weakness, clumsiness, cramping and pins and needles after a long ride. These symptoms often indicate a condition known as handlebar palsy, a nerve compression syndrome in the hand caused by bearing weight on the handlebars.

Handlebar palsy effects both MTB and road cyclists. This condition was first described in cyclists by researches as early as 1896. More recently studies of the injury’s occurrence in long-distance cyclists have found that symptoms of nerve compression prevalence are as high as 70% (Dettori and Norvell). The term palsy has been regularly used to describe this condition because the riders’ hand develops muscle paralysis. Handlebar palsy particularly refers to the loss of muscle function in the hand.

Interestingly, cyclists who experience handlebar palsy may be unaware they are causing significant nerve damage until a severe nerve lesion develops. This is because easily recognisable symptoms of numbness, pins and needles and pain may not always accompany other less distinguishable symptoms, such as hand weakness and loss of dexterity (Capitani and Beer).
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By Jim Langley

Pity the poor bicycle seat. Few products in the history of sports have taken such a bum rap. Prostate problems. Numbness. Boils. Infections. Chafing. Even impotency! You name the malady and it’s likely been blamed on the pedaler’s perch, the bike saddle.

Some criticism is justified because any reasonable person might assume that if you buy a good bike, you get a good seat. In fact, you might not even give the seat a second thought and start logging big miles immediately. And, if you develop pain and discomfort, you might cling to the notion that it can’t be the seat and simply keep riding, figuring that if you pedal enough, the aches and pains will disappear. If you’re lucky, that might happen. But, it could also be a bad mistake — the type of oversight that could cause many of the problems mentioned above.
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Thanks to Andy for pointing this out!

Shift up a gear with the latest hi-tech cycles and accessories.
By Lydia Bell
Published: 7:00AM BST 15 Jun 2009

With the promise of a glorious summer ahead, Bike Week 2009 – the annual celebration of cycling throughout Britain which runs until Sunday – is the perfect time to get back in the saddle.
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Most of us don’t give a second thought to prevention of injury but becoming injured isn’t necessarily just down to bad luck, a bit of thought and care can make all the difference. Firstly it is important to realize that most injuries are preventable and proper preparation in the warm up with a good cooling down and stretching routine afterwards will greatly reduce the chances of a problem arising.

Many factors will affect our fitness and also our predisposition to injury including age, body shape, over or under development of muscles, muscle imbalance, skill, technique and flexibility but with an intelligent approach there are ways to improve performance and lessen the chances of receiving a sport related injury.

The main elements of fitness are; Read the rest of this entry »