An epidemiological analysis of overuse injuries among recreational cyclists

Int J Sports Med. 1995 Apr;16(3):201-6. doi: 10.1055/s-2007-972992.

Abstract

Two-hundred and ninety-four male and 224 female randomly selected recreational cyclists responded to a mail questionnaire. Significant differences were observed between male and female cyclists' training characteristics. Overall, 85% of the cyclists reported one or more overuse injury, with 36% requiring medical treatment. The most common anatomical sites for overuse injury/complaints reported by the male and female cyclists combined were the neck (48.8%), followed by the knees (41.7%), groin/buttocks (36.1%), hands (31.1%), and back (30.3%). For the male cyclists, effect upon back and groin/buttocks overuse injuries/complaints were miles/week, lower number of gears, and less years of cycling. For female cyclists, training characteristics which had the most significant effect upon groin/buttocks overuse injury/complaints were more non-competitive events/year and less stretching before cycling. The odds of female cyclists developing neck and shoulder overuse injury/complaints were 1.5 and 2.0 times more, respectively than their male counterparts.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Athletic Injuries / epidemiology
  • Back Injuries
  • Bicycling / injuries*
  • Buttocks / injuries
  • California / epidemiology
  • Cumulative Trauma Disorders / epidemiology*
  • Female
  • Hand Injuries / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • Knee Injuries / epidemiology
  • Male
  • Neck Injuries
  • Recreation
  • Sex Factors
  • Shoulder Injuries
  • Sports / statistics & numerical data
  • Tendinopathy / epidemiology