CYCLING

INJURIES & CAUSES

Musculoskeletal pain when you are cycling is no fun. Not only does it impact on ride enjoyment and performance but in some situations it can lead to permanent damage and ongoing pain.

Here are some common issues that cyclists complain of and their possible causes.

TREATMENT OF CYCLING INJURIES

COMMON CYCLING ISSUES
AND THEIR CAUSES

Neck Pain

• Incorrect ‘reach’
- length & drop bars/saddle
• Poor muscle control
• Saddle position
• Flexibility of pelvis/hamstrings

Shoulder Pain

• Incorrect bar width
• Poor muscle control
• Poor core stabilisers
(using shoulders to hold)

Knee Pain (Anterior)

• Saddle too low/forward
• Poor use of gluts
• Training errors/overload
• Quads/hamstrings tightness

Examples of Common Sites of Cycling Injuries and Conditions

• Hypermobile hand/fingers/wrists
• Equipment choice gears/brake/bars/tape
• Drop bars/saddle

Back Pain

• Range of hamstrings
• Flexibility of pelvis
• Saddle position
• Saddle type
• Core control
• Technique
• Dissociation ability pelvis vs legs

Saddle Pressure

• Asymmetry: ie leg length/pelvis
• Saddle height
• Saddle type
• Experience and leg strength

Saddle Sores

• Asymmetry: ie leg length/pelvis
• Saddle height/position
• Saddle type
• Skin care

Examples of Common Sites of Cycling Injuries and Conditions

SIJ Pain

• Asymmetry: ie leg length/pelvis
• Saddle height/position
• Saddle type
• Hypermobility pelvic joints

Back of Leg Pain

• Tight hamstrings
• Lower back referred pain
• SIJ referred pain
• Saddle height/fore/aft

Knee Pain (Posterior)

• Saddle too high/back
• Tight Hamstrings
• Poor gluts
• Toey technique
• Trying to ‘pull up’

Calf Pain

• Saddle too high/back
• Overload/training errors
• Poor Gluts

Examples of Common Sites of Cycling Injuries and Conditions

Achilles Pain

• Saddle too high/back
• Overload/training errors
• Poor Gluts

Foot Pain

• Proximal control (leg/pelvis)
• Poor shoe choice
• Rear foot pronation

About Physio Bike Fit

A comprehensive bike fitting and cyclist assessment conducted by highly experienced physiotherapist, Emma Colson, experienced in the science of cycling from the elite to recreational level.

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Contact Topbike Physio

Emma is available for physio bike fit appointment bookings from her base in the Otways at Forrest, Victoria.

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