Among the varied sports that modern-day individuals participate in, cycling is believed to be the most multifaceted. It can boost the immune system besides positively contributing to body weight.
Although the total number of cyclists is said to increase over the next few years, several types of research have shown that half of them would experience neck pain, sprained knee, groin strain, a fractured hand, etc.
According to a renowned sports medicine doctor, almost all the conditions associated with riding bicycles either progress over time as a consequence of recurring movements or are immensely sudden, like falling off. Both kinds are known to pave the way for substantial morbidity.
The following write-up specifies the major cycling injuries and ways to prevent them. Please check it out right now.
- Achilles Tendonitis
Achilles tendonitis could be defined as an overuse injury of the Achilles tendon – a group of tissues that joins the calf muscles located at the rear end of the lower leg to the bone of the heel. Apart from cyclists, it may also occur in the runners, who suddenly increase the runs’ duration or intensity.
To keep Achilles tendonitis at bay, make sure your bike is right for your body structure, and your shoe cleats are placed correctly. You may seek professional assistance. The saddle should not be excessively high, or else your toes will constantly point in a downward direction, contracting the calf muscles.
- Saddle Sores
Saddle sores are a sort of skin disorder that happens when you spend long hours in the bike. The constant friction between the skin, the clothes, and the saddle can, unfortunately, cause horrible rashes in sensitive parts of the body, such as your crotch or the back of the thighs. They go away after a few days, but the deeper sores take weeks to completely disappear.
As soon the ride is over, please take your shorts off and get inside the shower. Or at least use a baby wipe to clean the chamois region. Adjust the position of the seat frequently. Stand out of the saddle or slide to sit on all the parts of the saddle. This will alleviate the pressure on one particular spot.
- Muscle Tightness
You may not realise, but your hamstrings and calves could be extremely tight. You do not feel it even during riding as your body cleverly adapted to the repeated motions. But, down the road, the tightness can force the muscles to tear. So you end up with a painful strain or sprain.
Warming up before a ride is perhaps the best way to prevent this injury. You must jog, do some stretches, or walk at a brisk pace to loosen your muscles as much as possible. Foam rolling also helps. It is an SMR (self-myofascial release) technique that provides relief from soreness, tightness, and swelling.
- Neck Pain
Neck pain occurs when the muscles that start from the bottom of the skull and run across the neck’s side to reach the shoulders become rigid. These muscles, after all, carry the burden of the head for a prolonged period in more or less the same position. Many cyclists suffer from neck pain because their posture is improper.
Shorten the stem of the bike, so you are in an upright position throughout the ride. You can stop worrying about your neck pain by loosening the handlebars. This relaxes your shoulders to a great extent. Also, slightly bend your elbows so that your arms can absorb the vibrations from the trail.
Cycling may seem quite overwhelming at first, but in actuality, it triggers one’s audacious side, takes them to exceptional adventures all across the globe, and enhances their overall wellbeing. Keeping the aforementioned discussion in mind will allow the cyclists to prevent injuries. That being said, if you already got hurt, make sure to visit a doctor. Also, do not ride until fully recovered.