| As we all know cycling is a neat way to increase | | | | Moving up to the shoulders and mid-back, we see |
| your total cardiovascular fitness. However what you | | | | the back rounded. A rounded upper back causes the |
| may not know is that over time the demands of | | | | shoulder blades to raise and protract. As a |
| cycling can end up in muscle-bound imbalances which | | | | consequence, the muscles in the chest and upper |
| can limit the body's ability to perform at peak level | | | | trapezius become tight leaving the shoulders walked |
| and significantly increase chance of both over-use | | | | up and pulled forward. Tight pecs major and upper |
| injury and chronic discomfort. | | | | traps weaken the mid-back and scapula stabilizers. |
| To get a more clear concept of how these | | | | Puny scapula stabilizers can place unjustified stress in |
| disequilibria can happen we'll have a look at the riding | | | | the shoulder joint during overhead movements while |
| posture starting from the feet and moving up to the | | | | tight upper Traps are a major contributor to neck |
| head : | | | | tension and pain. |
| Pedaling places a large amount of stress on the | | | | The last body part to take a look at is the head. |
| calves. Tight calves could cause the feet to flatten | | | | Cycling posture pulls the head forward. The cervical |
| and place undue stress on the heel cord, plantar | | | | backbone was built to efficiently support the head |
| fascia and knees. The major muscles involved in | | | | and evenly distribute its weight among the seven |
| cycling are the quadriceps. You can see that by | | | | cervical vertebrae. As the head is pulled forward the |
| having a look at any pro bicyclist. [**] miles of cycling | | | | distribution of its weight shifts and more force is |
| in the bent over cycling position can bring about | | | | placed on the vertebrae at the base of the neck. |
| tightness in the quadriceps and the psoas ( hip | | | | This can end up in calcium deposits and arthritic |
| flexors ). These tight quads and hip flexors distortthe | | | | changes in the cervical vertebrae. A forward head |
| pelvis out of optimal position into a forward tilt. This | | | | also leads to tightness of the neck flexors and |
| anterior tilt of the pelvis sets in motion a cascade of | | | | weakening of the neck extensors. This places |
| muscle disparity. The forward tilt of the pelvis causes | | | | unwarranted stress on the muscles in the back of |
| an increased arching of the lower back. This over | | | | the neck and frequently ends in neck pain and strain |
| loads the muscles of the lumbar backbone while at | | | | head aches. |
| the same time lengthens and weakens the | | | | As you can see, cycling can cause some serious |
| abdominals. Another muscle group negatively | | | | muscle disparities that can end up in pain in the body. |
| impacted by these dominant quads and hip flexors | | | | The next article will look at the simplest way to |
| are the gluteals. The glutes are a major pelvic | | | | correct these disequilibria using a composite training |
| stabilizer and the main hip extensors of the body. | | | | approach that incorporates muscle balance, postural |
| Tightness and over-activation of their opposing hip | | | | potency, core stability and flexibleness. |
| flexors cause the glutes to become weak and | | | | To read more about indoor cycling trainers or bike |
| under-active. In this situation , as the glutes cannot | | | | trainers check out our website for more detailed |
| effectively extend the hip, the hamstrings must pick | | | | information. |
| up the slack. As a consequence, the hamstrings get | | | | . |
| over worked and become tight. | | | | |