This month sees the beginning of the Tour of Britain, a multi staged cycling race covering the length and breadth of Britain across eight stages. The race commences on Sunday with a 201km ride from Peebles to Drumlanrig Castle, before gradually moving south and finishing in the capital with a final 88km race. The world’s best cyclists, and our very own Tour De France winners Sir Bradley Wiggins and Chris Froome, will take on a gruelling 1,147km in just eight days as they compete for glory.
The origins of the Tour of Britain date back to post World War Two, where there have been several connotations of the national race. The current form of the race was introduced in 2004 and now forms part of the UCI European Tour. The original tour had very controversial beginnings, with the National Cyclists Union (NCU) against the idea of cyclists being on the road and eventually banned the riders and organisers of the inaugural Llangollen to Wolverhampton race in 1942 as a result. This led to a breakaway group and the formation of the British League of Racing Cyclists (BLRC) which organised a new race, taking place in Kent in 1944.
Cycling Injuries
We have seen throughout the Tour De France the physical strain these athletes put on their body, with Sir Bradley Wiggins being forced out of the competition through injury and illness. There are a number of common injuries sustained by riders covering both joint and muscle injuries. Each injury is completely different, but there are a number of common forms of rehabilitation in the form of sports braces.
Common joint injuries sustained by cyclists relate to the ankle and knee, whereby overuse can cause strains and inflammation requiring rest to fully recover. From a muscle injury perspective cyclists are susceptible to calf and thigh muscle strains due to the pressure placed on the lower limbs during riding, especially over long distances of varying inclines.
Sports Braces
Sport braces are designed to manage specific conditions by offering additional protection and support to an affected area. They are designed to be used in conjunction with other rehabilitation methods in a bid to keep you active and performing for longer. An ankle support for example can be worn post injury to provide support to the joint and allow the patient to continue staying active and playing sport knowing they have an additional level of protection.
Compression Shorts
Compression shorts, as the name suggests, are shorts which are designed to offer compression. The purpose of compression shorts is to manage muscle based injuries in the thigh, hamstring and groin area.
Compression is used as a means of managing numerous sports injuries, with the pressure applied helping to reduce inflammation and pain and allow the patient to continue being active. Compression shorts are generic in that they cover a number of muscle injuries as well as working to minimise unnecessary muscle movements. By maintaining muscle alignment, the compression shorts work to prevent further injury by offering support.
Where additional pressure on an area is required, some compression shorts are available with cinch straps for both the thigh and groin. The cinch strap allows additional compression to be applied as to the patient’s requirements and can be easily adjusted.
Ankle Support
Ankles are probably one of the most susceptible joints to injury, with injuries sustained through either slipping on the pavement or when playing football or even through overuse. There are a number of different types of injury relating to the ankle joint, all of which have their own level of severity, though an ankle support can typically be worn with all of them. It is also worth noting that the ankle support you buy should work with the specific injury you are attempting to manage to ensure maximum effectiveness.
There is no standard ankle support on the market, as they are tailored for specific conditions, from one designed for simple strains and sprains to something which can help to manage ligament damaged. The latter ankle support can have additional straps which act as an external ligament for the patient whilst offering support without restricting movement.
In general, sports braces are designed to allow increased mobility during rehabilitation though there are some ankle support options available which are designed to offer stability and not to be worn when riding a bike or playing football. Ankle stirrups are typically rigid and prevent the rolling of the ankle post injury and are designed to offer maximum protection. The material based ankle support, either in neoprene or Bioskin are designed to be breathable and worn in conjunction with playing your chosen sport.
Sports injuries can happen to anyone and everyone. If you are in doubt as to a diagnosis you should consult with a clinician who will be able to offer you the best course of rehabilitation, whether that comes in the form of rest, physiotherapy or the use of a sports brace or all three. Whether you are buying an ankle support or compression shorts it is important to select the correct one and the correct size to ensure you feel the benefit of the compression offered and the brace actually has a positive effect.
Grand Prix Of Poland And The Importance Of Knee Bracing
This weekend sees the start of the 2015 speedway season with the Grand Prix of Poland in Warsaw. The Stadion Narodowy will play host to the world's best as Tai Woffinden takes on the best.
Managing Common Knee Injuries Ahead Of The Champions League Last 16
This week will see the second round of the last sixteen of the Champions League, with a number of crunch matches taking place and an exciting spectacle of football for the neutral. The biggest game of the tie from an English perspective has to be Manchester City taking on Barcelona, an opportunity for one of the wealthiest clubs in the world to book their place in history by knocking out one of the most successful.
Common Knee Injuries From Mountain Biking
Mountain bikers can suffer from a variety of injuries whether from overuse or following a crash or fall from your bike, all with varying degrees of severity. The more extreme the route, the bigger the adrenaline rush but also the bigger the injury should you come off your bike at speed. Luckily, the majority of injuries sustained are minor and self-limiting in that you should expect to recover following a few days of rest.
