Nontraumatic injuries in amateur long distance bicyclists

Abstract

All 132 participants in a 500 mile, 8 day bicycle tour were surveyed by questionnaire to characterize the demographics and bicycling experience of the riders, and to determine the frequency and severity of nontraumatic injuries they experienced. Riders who developed significant symptoms were interviewed and/or examined. Eighty-six percent of ride participants responded to the survey. The average age of the riders was 41.4 years (+/- 11.7 years). They rode an average of 95.8 miles per week on a routine basis, but the majority were new to long distance touring. Most were healthy, but 5% had serious cardiovascular disease and bicycled as part of a rehabilitation program. The most common nontraumatic injury was buttocks pain (experienced by 32.8% of riders); four had skin ulceration of the buttocks. Knee problems occurred in 20.7% of riders; patellar pain syndromes and lateral knee complaints were the most common knee problems. One cyclist withdrew from the tour because of knee pain. Neck-shoulder pain occurred in 20.4% of the riders. Groin numbness and palmar pain or paresthesias each occurred in approximately 10%. Other less common problems were foot and ankle symptoms and sunburn.