Cycling Movement Dysfunction

Cycling is a sport or it a daily activity that gets people from one place to another. Either way, requirements for a cyclist should be comfort, ability to sustain the same position for a long period of time, speed, and power. As a physical therapist, we look at different possible dysfunctions with cycling, evaluate, and plan a treatment to decrease pain and movement dysfunction as you ride.

Common dysfunctions:
Hip flexion angle limitation
This limitation means that it is hard to bend the hip to be able to sit in a bended position for a long period of time, it can be due to hip osteoarthritis or a congenital hip dysfunction.

Ankle dorsiflexion angle limitation
Limitations in ankle ranges will not allow you to pedal through each stroke with ease, it may be caused by previous ankle fracture or sprains. People tend to use other movements to compensate for the lost of ankle range. The better ankle range, the better transition to power.

Hip strength weakness
When your hip is weak, the body will pull the knee inward to make it easier, but it is likely to cause medial and lateral deviation in the knee. It can lead to patellofemoral knee (runner’s knee) syndrome or a hamstring strain.

Shoulder instability
Decreasing ability to stabilizing shoulder, pull the shoulder forward or backward can translate more stress to the low back, therefore causing more saddle irritation.

The importance of getting a bike that suits the rider and seeing a physical therapist for any dysfunction is vital. Physical therapists can use joint mobilization, break through soft tissue, and neuromuscular train to educate the correct posture and movement for long bike rides.

Credit: Larry Meyer PT, DPT

Written by: Cindy Zhang PT, DPT
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