In
women's road cycling, the individual time trial final is sometime today. Just as with any sport, you can drop some serious cash on equipment, what with aero rims, carbon fiber frames, lightweight components, etc. If you think back a few years, the saddle was the topic du jour for the men as seat (time) was linked to erectile dysfunction. Obviously, it's a bit more complicated than that as manufacturers attempted to come up with all manner of saddle options to address this new issue.
But when you think about it, pelvis is pelvis, whether female or male. Sure, we look different (
viva la difference!) but when you sit on a bicycle saddle for long periods of time, you still risk neurovascular compromise, regardless of gender. So in light of women's road cycling, I wanted to point out a
study published 3 months ago in the Journal of Sexual Medicine in which
seat position relative to handlebars affected perineal pressure & thus genital sensation in female cyclists.
In fact, the worse position was described as handlebars positioned lower than the saddle or vice versa, the saddle elevated above the handlebars. Either way, the authors noted increase in perineal pressure & decrease in genital sensation in 48 female competitive cyclists who rode at least 10 miles/week 4 weeks/month.
This is one of those "disease oriented evidence" or DOE studies rather than "patient-oriented evidence that matters" or POEM studies that we in family medicine prefer. But if your otherwise fit female cyclist complains about perineal numbness, you might do well to inquire as to the height of her handlebars relative to her saddle. I'll bet that will garner you some brownie points!
Good stuff! As a personal trainer with some cycling clients, I, too, can garner brownie points.
ReplyDeleteAs an avid equestrian, I have learned that seat position (the balance of weight distribution between the ischia and the anterior pubis, known as the "triangle") is critical both for effective riding and physical comfort. Too much load on the ischium alone, especially with percussive forces, can jar the lumbar spine and make for some unhappy discs. It also can compress some posterior nerves and create some very sore upper ham/glute sensations. Sort of the opposite of your bike scenario.
The point is once again, not too forward, not too back, but just right. Balance in all things!
Thanks for all the good info, Dr. Lin.
Jenni Westerfeld