Can Chiropractic help to improve cycling performance? by Christopher Pierce, DC

Christopher Pierce, DC has owned a family Chiropractic clinic, Chiropractic First in Portland, Oregon since 2001. In 2004 he was recognized as a distinguished fellow of Chiropractic Biophysics and in 2009 he was named honorary professor of the Taiwan Chiropractic Medical Academy. At The Bicycle Chiropractor, he incorporates bicycling on a trainer and real world cycling into his 3D bio-mechanical analysis of an individual.

Can Chiropractic help to improve cycling performance?

The very first bicycle was invented in China around about 2300 BC. The very first bicycle injury probably happened that very same day. Bicycling is one of the most popular recreational sports. However, it can be associated with fractures, strains and sprains, contusions and non-traumatic overuse injuries. Many injuries are preventable given proper positioning on the bike and an accurate understanding of the biomechanics of cycling. Bicycle-related spine pain has probably been underreported. The incidence of spine pain in long distance cyclists varies from 17% to 70% in various studies. Spinal muscular strains and ligamentous sprains cause the majority of bicycle-related back pain.

What do the professionals have to say about improving cycling performance with Chiropractic?

Jeff Spencer, DC served as the team Chiropractor for the Postal and Discovery Channel Professional Cycling Teams. Here is what Lance Armstrong said about him, “Jeff is part doctor, part guru, part medicine man… we believed Jeff could fix any and all of our problems… While he fixed us physically, he also fixed us mentally… If you judged the most important man on the Postal team by foot traffic in and out his door, then it was Jeff. Without him, we knew we’d never make it to Paris.”
- Lance Armstrong, Every Second Counts

What does the research have to say about Lance Armstrong’s high regard for Chiropractic?

The review of the current research suggests that Chiropractic collectively documents statistically significant improvements in respiration, range of motion, heart rate variability and autonomic function, endocrine function, cardiovascular function, immune function, muscle strength and overall athletic ability of “healthy” or specific-function “normal” individuals. These are all necessary attributes of a health bicyclist at any performance level.

Other studies have documented statistically significant increases or improvements in neurocognitive functions such as reaction-time and information processing, visual acuity, stress and reproductive hormones, healing / recovery time, and the general health following or during Chiropractic care. Optimizing these attributes can mean the difference between taking 1st and 2nd place in a bike race.

Sources:
Spine in Sports 2005, Pages 113-134
www.jeffspencer.com
www.sciencedirect.com
www.thebicyclechiropractor.com

The author:
Christopher Pierce, DC
The Bicycle Chiropractor
222 SE 8th Ave
Portland, OR 97214
www.TheBicycleChiropractor.com

Radio Shack Cycling Clothing Coming April 20th

We just received word that Radio Shack cycling clothing by Nike will be available around April 20th. Clothing includes the same Radio Shack cycling jersey that Lance Armstrong and the rest of the team is wearing in races all across the globe. You will be able to pre-order Radio Shack now and we will ship as soon as it becomes available.

If you have any questions regarding sizing or availability please feel free to call us at 888-817-8060.

April Trivia Answers

Once again, Paul Moore correctly answered our April trivia contest. Way to go Paul! Paul has owned this competition for the past three months.

A1. 1987, Claude Criquelion. He broke away on the flat after the Bosberg because he “knew which way the wind blew” and he had a “secret equipment weapon”…a 12 tooth cog, a novelty at that time and it was HOMEMADE!!! This was the 71st edition and Claudy won solo wearing #71!

A2. 1972 and 1973, and NO it wasn’t Eddy Merckx! This Belgian was Eric Leman! He, along with Italian Fiorenzo Magni, and fellow Belgians Achiel Buysse and Johan Museeuw hold the record at three wins each, a mark Devolder and Boonen would love to match!

A3. 1992 was Jacky Durand (France) pulling off one of his trademark race-long breakaways, 1997 was Rolf Sorenson (Denmark) and 2003 was Steffen Wesemann of Germany.

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Dave Campbell's Trivia For April - Tour of Flanders

Same rules as last month. First person to email all three correct answers to trivia at bicyclinghub.com wins a $20 BicyclingHub.com Gift Coupon.

April 2010

The Belgians Mania for Cycling is at a Fevered Pitch…

Euro Bike Race Fanatics are Salivating for Pave…

THE COBBLED CLASSICS RIDERS ARE IN TOP FORM…

IT’S GOTTA BE FLANDERS!!!

Q1. Belgians have won 66 of the 93 editions of the Ronde. Belgium has two regions…Walloonia (French-speaking home of later April classics Liege-Bastogne-Liege and Fleche-Wallone) and Flanders (where Sunday’s event takes place and the people speak Flemish). Of all these victories, ONLY ONE WAS BY A WALOON. Who and when?

Q2. Belgium has not only HISTORICALLY ruled the Ronde but recently too and with two men and they are teammates! Strongman Stijn Devolder has won the most recent two editions and Tom Boonen won back-to-back in 2005 and 2006. Prior to these two Quick Step riders who was the last “repeater” at this tough race full of cobbled bergs? HINT: Local knowledge is EVERYTHING at the Ronde so of course he is Belgian!!!

Q3. Italy, although historically not very successful in Flanders, has notched six wins in the last two decades with a slew of great Classics riders (Bugno, Tafi, Bartoli, Ballan, Bortolami, & Argentin) Besides the home standing and long dominant Belgians only three wins since 1990 have gone to nationalities other than these two, they are: A German, A Dane, and a Frenchman. Can you name them?