CYCLING PERFORMANCE TIPS - breaks and sprains

CYCLING PERFORMANCE TIPS

Breaks and Sprains

CLAVICLE

The collarbone is one of the few bones which will fail to heal if not allowed to set properly.

Treatment depends on the type of fracture. With a greenstick or hairline, one can forgo a figure-8 brace as long as the rider is careful not to stress the shoulder. However, any simple or compound fracture needs to be immobilized. Motion in an unset fracture can cause excess calcification with a noticeable bump or an abnormal set angle. These are actually quite common as the brace is uncomfortable and it's even more uncomfortable to sleep on one side only. This can be remedied with a little tape and a couple of thumbtacks. It only takes a couple of nights to get used to it.

Broken collarbones rarely hurt unless reinjured. That's why it's important to understand the seriousness of a second trauma. A wide figure eight brace with padded straps 2 to 3 inches wide and tightened firmly will help prevent reinjuries and bad sets. All it takes is a slight turn or reaching for something at the wrong angle.

A word of warning. If the break is not allowed to sufficiently heal the ends of the bone will calcify preventing a strong bond and probable refracture from normal cycling loads. Also, a crash with an inadequately healed collar bone could sever the innominate or common carotid artery.

One can resume training on a turbo trainer after three or four days. This is best carried out with a road bike with dropped handlebars. Turn the bars upside down. Then take another set of road bars and tape them to the upturned set. This makes a big S giving you a rail to hang onto at a convenient height. This allows you to resume training on a turbo in a more upright position. If you feel any pain or discomfort stop.

LOW BACK PAIN

Low back pain is a common problem for cyclists. If this is a new and severe problem, the first question to be asked is whether it could be a herniated disc. If there is any question, see a doctor as a slipped disk would be made worse by increased exercise. If the problem is muscle imbalance, read on.

First, a little background. The back, or more properly the abdomen, is definitely the weak link for many riders. Cyclists have huge leg muscles but don’t have the torso strength to support and resist the tremendous forces which those big legs can generate. Any force directed into the pedals also goes up into the torso. If the torso is weak, that force DOESN'T go into the pedals but is dissipated in flexing of the torso. Look at tired riders - every stroke generates an "S" curve in the back, and it is the constant effect of the power of their legs that causes fatigue, and eventually, overwork and spasm of low back muscles. And as a corollary, a rider will never get stronger by pushing pedals alone as long as their torso continues to absorb the force generated by the legs.

Our evolution has given us musculature designed for quadripedal animals, and the muscles which could support a hanging, horizontal spine can't easily stabilize a vertical one subjected to all the impacts and forces our upright posture dictates. However, we have potentially quite strong abdominal musculature to provide stiffness to the entire torso to support and reflect the force of the legs, whether pushing away against the ground in quadripedal running, or pushing against the pedals in riding a bicycle. Riding with undeveloped abs is something like riding a bike with a cracked frame - all the energy gets dissipated in flexion, and doesn't get you down the road.

Here are a few tips from David LaPorte, U. of Minn. (david-l@microbe.med.umn.edu). It's been estimated that about 80% of low back pain arises because of poor posture. Posture problems occur when we stand but are even more significant when we sit or ride a bike. We tend to round up our low backs, stressing the ligaments and tendons which lie along the spine. It is the irritation and inflammation of these ligaments and tendons which leads to most low back problems.

An excellent book on back pain is "Treat Your Own Back" by Robin McKenzie, Spinal Publications Ltd., P.O. Box 93, Waikanae, New Zealand ISBN 0-9597746-6-1. They use this book at the Low Back Center of the University of Minnesota Hospital.

SPRAINS

As a general rule, If you can do ordinary activities without pain then continue to do them. However, if you experience increased pain as you return to your workout routine, you are better to leave that activity out.In addition to rest, ice (for up to 20mins) and mild compression (if there is some swelling) are helpful.

FIRST AID IDEAS



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