Not Just for Runners

My husband is in France for part of this week, riding a portion of the famous Tour de France race course (as part of a sub race). He is doing Stage 19 – the Alps!

There are 21 stages in this grueling race, which covers 3,450.5 kilometers, or 2,058 miles, and injuries, unfortunately, are inevitable. The ones that make the news and seem to be the most common usually involve acute trauma (i.e. collisions and abrasions).

Acute trauma is less common among runners, although they also suffer their share of accidents. But, like runners, cyclists in general can also suffer from overuse injuries, in large part because of poor bike fit or improper riding technique.

So what is one of the more common overuse injuries for cyclists? Runner’s knee, or patellofemoral pain syndrome, which basically is pain under and around the knee cap.

An interesting study published 10 years ago in the American Family Physician, and updated in 2007, said that knee pain in cyclists is largely the result of having the saddle too far forward or too low.

To fix the problem, the report said: “Correction of the bicycle set-up, advice on strengthening the vastus medialis (part of the quadricep muscles) and stretching of the hamstrings, combined with appropriate use of ice and anti-inflammatories is usually sufficient.” (The report also offers suggestions for proper fit.)

UPDATE: My husband finished the Stage 19 race – which covers about 70 miles, 30 miles of which are uphill – in about eight hours. Said he, “This was the hardest bike ride I’ve ever done!” No kidding.