The best type of support for cycling
44 | Cycling World
Cycling Injuries
The best type of support for cycling
Many athletes , including runners and footballers , who have suffered from knee problems turn to cycling as a ‘ low impact ’ sporting option , but it is not altogether riskfree of injury . According to Road Cycling UK , the knee joint is particularly susceptible to injury and many cyclists are affected by some degree of knee pain , but this is often preventable and even if not prevented , can usually be successfully treated .
Michael Core from Össur Webshop takes you through the various types of support used to prevent and treat injuries in the third instalment of our look into cycling injuries .
During cycling , the knee is repeatedly bent and stretched , and this can cause some of the muscles and tendons around it to become overloaded . If you experience knee problems even once and are satisfied that your bicycle is set up correctly with the pedal cleats and saddle positioned correctly , you may need a patella or knee brace . Knee braces are designed to compress or stabilise the knee , or to carry out both functions ( depending on the design selected ).
Compression knee braces
Compression knee braces can help to reduce in�ammation and swelling following an in�ury , and also help to reduce pain . These braces are frequently used when a cyclist has a relatively mild sprain or slight weakness of the knee . Compression braces can have a closed or open patella . An open patella can provide compression without putting pressure on the kneecap , with some braces having a padded area ( or buttress ) around the patella for increased comfort . A gap over the patella can help to ensure that it stays in the proper position and is aligned correctly . In other braces , a gel cushion over the patella can perform a similar function whilst providing protection from impact as well .
Sometimes , no specific in�ury has been diagnosed , but there is a feeling of instability in the knee and a compression knee brace will provide the low level of support that is needed for comfort .
These types of braces are typically sleeve-based in that they can be pulled on and manoeuvred into place . The materials will differ depending on the brand chosen but neoprene is often used to maintain its shape , as the last thing you want is a knee brace that is baggy and slips down your leg . There are some bespoke materials on the market , such as BioSkin , which are marketed as performance bracing , designed to offer a higher level of compression and breathability compared to its neoprene counterpart .