Non-traumatic injury profile of amateur cyclists

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Date

Authors

Van der Walt, A.J.
Janse van Rensburg, Dina Christina
Fletcher, Lizelle
Grant, C.C. (Catharina Cornelia)
Van der Walt, Alta

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Health and Medical Publishing Group

Abstract

BACKGROUND : Non-traumatic bicycle injuries are common. However, research available on non-traumatic injuries in amateur cyclists is more than a decade old, and most of the research on this topic has been done in Europe and America on professional cyclists in multi-day cycling events. An understanding of the common injuries may lead to appropriate prevention intervention. OBJECTIVE : To determine the incidence of overuse injuries in amateur cyclists preparing for participation in a 1-day cycle challenge. METHODS : A questionnaire was emailed to participants of the 2012 Momentum 94.7 Cycle Challenge, which amateur participants ≥18 years old were invited to complete. Data on demographics, training habits and the participants’ injury profile in the preceding year were collected. RESULTS : Of the 3 300 respondents, 75% were male and 59% were between 30 and 50 years old. Non-traumatic injury, pain or neurological symptoms were reported by 88% of the respondents. The percentages of all respondents who experienced problems in the following anatomical areas were as follows: neck 34%, back 41%, hand/wrist 41%, buttock/perineum 41%, hip 7%, knee 33% and foot/ankle 24%. Knee pain was responsible for the need to stop training for the largest percentage of respondents. Neurological complaints were common in respondents who experienced neck, back, hand/wrist, buttock/perineum and foot/ankle problems. CONCLUSION : Non-traumatic injuries in amateur cyclists are common, with back, hand/wrist and buttock/perineal symptoms the most frequent problems. Knee problems caused the greatest need to stop training and seek medical help.

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Keywords

Amateur cyclists, Non-traumatic bicycle injuries

Sustainable Development Goals

Citation

Van der Walt, A, Jansen van Rensburg, DC, Fletcher, L, Grant, CC & Van der Walt, AJ 2014, 'Non-traumatic injury profile of amateur cyclists', South African Journal of Sports Medicine, vol. 26, no. 4, pp. 119-122.