Injuries in cycling

[danimal]

So old football players end up with bum knees and other joints and end up hobbling around their remaining years.

Is cycling immume from this? Other than injuries from crashing, is cycling a body-friendly sport? Are there long-term disasbilities one can expect from a cycling career?

[DirtyHippieUTE]

Sleepy Pee Pee....

[MikeWaters]

cycling is generally very friendly to the body. I see many old geezers still cycling. You don't get the joint wear-out issue like you do in running.

that isn't to say that you can't hurt your joints. But this mostly comes from bad technique or poor fit. I myself have suffered from iliotibial fasciitis for a couple of months, but that was due to over-extertion without proper preparation.

There is an idea that you can do some damage to your prostate if you ride a lot, or that you can screw up the nerves in that area (not a good idea). Solutions: don't ride an excessive amount, make sure you have good riding shorts and a good seat, never allow yourself to go numb in any area. You can also ride a recumbent if this is a problem.

[danimal]

Originally Posted by MikeWaters

cycling is generally very friendly to the body. I see many old geezers still cycling. You don't get the joint wear-out issue like you do in running.

that isn't to say that you can't hurt your joints. But this mostly comes from bad technique or poor fit. I myself have suffered from iliotibial fasciitis for a couple of months, but that was due to over-extertion without proper preparation.

There is an idea that you can do some damage to your prostate if you ride a lot, or that you can screw up the nerves in that area (not a good idea). Solutions: don't ride an excessive amount, make sure you have good riding shorts and a good seat, never allow yourself to go numb in any area. You can also ride a recumbent if this is a problem.

So is Lance Armstrong a Viagra commercial in the making? I'd take erectile capacity over 6 tours anyday.

[MikeWaters]

I don't have any hard facts (so to speak). I don't think it is a huge problem (so to speak). Take anything Lance says with a grain of salt. Because maybe his problems have to do with being a uniballer. Or no baller.

[DirtyHippieUTE]

In a recent email poll of my "older" friends who have been riding for years the following problems were commonly reported.

1- Hemorrhoids.
2- Various nerve issues in the "taint" area.
3- Joint inflamation (knee or hip).

I don't know if there is a causal link between cycling and hemorrhoids but that was the most commonly reported problem. Perhaps cycling just makes the problem worse or more noticeable?

[danimal]

Hmm, between hemorrhoids, prostate problems, nerve issues, and ED, you would think there would be something they could do about seat designs. Bike seats just aren't all that comfortable, or apparently good for you. I say bring back the banana seat that were like 2 feet long and super paded. Those were sweet.

[creekster]

hemorrhoids? Never heard of that problem being linked to bikes. Seriously. I don't thihnk there is much empirical relationship there. DHU's buddies might just be isolated examples. Hemorrhoids are casued by a lot of things that old farts might have whether or not they cycle.

There was a big article in bicycling magazine a few years ago that showed that most of the studies about erectile dysfunction (which I think is part and parcel of the claimed prostrate problem) were very flawed and that there was virtually no difference for riders and non-riders with respect tot ED unless the riders were spending more than 45 hours a dday in the saddle. I could be wroing about that time, but you get the idea. IOW, erectile dysfunction is not a big risk.

MW's observation is correct. If you don't get over use injuries (give yourself time to get in shape and rest and recover) and your bike and saddle are properly fitted to you (and this is the largest factor BY FAR) you will be most likely to experience problem free riding into your old age.

The banana seat is not the best solution, IMO. Big plush foam seats tend to cause pinch points which actually exacerbate numbness. Furhter, the soft seats tend to have a hard large bottom and the longer you are on the seat the foam/padding compresses more exposing the rider to a hard and unsupportive surface. If you ask touring bike riders, guys who ride their bike everyday for hours at a time and for weeks on end, they will tell you the most comfortable seats for a non-recumbent are Brooks saddles, unsprung for a traditional riding position, and a Brooks sprung for a more upright riding position. Brooks saddles are essentially thick, hard pieces of leather pulled over a metal frame. Over time they mold to your pelvis at points of contact and become very comfortable. The amount fo time needed for comfort varies from person to person. Mine took about 200 miles. Some take longer, most take less. Bias revelation: I love my Brooks.

DHU: How 'old' were your correspondents?

In general, I have had several body parts go numb over the years after or during long rides. I have always solved these problems through equipment fit adjustmnes or clothing changes (e.g. better gloves). Overall, bike rising if done properly, just doesn't cause many proboems.

Actually, the only problem I really recall is a study showing a possible loss of bone mass for people that ride a LOT and this can easily be countered with al ittle weightlifting and is not a real risk for most people.

[DirtyHippieUTE]

Originally Posted by creekster

DHU: How 'old' were your correspondents?

The ones who said they had hemorrhoids were mostly over 40. I doubt cycling can cause them but I do not doubt that it can aggrivate them. I think most of these guys would have the problem even if they weren't riding but since they ride there is no way to tell.

Originally Posted by creekster

In general, I have had several body parts go numb over the years after or during long rides. I have always solved these problems through equipment fit adjustmnes or clothing changes (e.g. better gloves).

My feet keep going numb. Not the whole foot, just the toes. I switched shoes and that didn't solve the problem. I've tried a few different pedal positions and nothing has changed.

The only thing I can figure is that I've got wussy feet that don't like it when my shoes are tight. I used to have a similar problem when I would go skiing.

The problem is... I can never find that perfect balance between too tight and tight enough to keep them on my feet.

Thicker socks maybe?

[creekster]

Originally Posted by DirtyHippieUTE

The ones who said they had hemorrhoids were mostly over 40. I doubt cycling can cause them but I do not doubt that it can aggrivate them. I think most of these guys would have the problem even if they weren't riding but since they ride there is no way to tell.



My feet keep going numb. Not the whole foot, just the toes. I switched shoes and that didn't solve the problem. I've tried a few different pedal positions and nothing has changed.

The only thing I can figure is that I've got wussy feet that don't like it when my shoes are tight. I used to have a similar problem when I would go skiing.

The problem is... I can never find that perfect balance between too tight and tight enough to keep them on my feet.

Thicker socks maybe?

I am well over 40 and have yet to suffer from hemorrhoids, knock on wood.

I have had foot pain and numbness over the years and usually find it is linked to narrow shoes. Especially true for hard-soled road shoes. If they are too narrow they cause me numbness/pain. Also, don't cinch them up too tightly.