Returning to cycling training after suffering an injury can be a frustrating and daunting period for an athlete. Whether you cycle competitively or as a personal pass time, the recovery process needed after suffering an injury takes time and you will need to be patient when returning to your training schedule.

Depending on the severity and the location of your injury, your approach to returning to cycling will vary. Generally, the most common injuries experienced by cyclists are knee pain, achilles tendonitis, lower back pain and a broken collarbone after a fall from your bike. In some cases, if you have suffered an upper body injury it may be possible to continue training while recovering. However, it is always best to check with a trained physiotherapist first.

Tips for returning to cycling after an injury

Patience and care are essential when returning to cycling training after an injury. If you rush into your training schedule too quickly, you may cause yourself further harm and prolong the recovery period. Understanding your injury and knowing what aggravates it is key to easing yourself back into training. Keep the following helpful tips in mind:

• Start slowly –
  • Rushing back into cycling training won’t be doing yourself or your recovery process any favours. Take your training sessions slowly and steadily. It’s important not to focus on the sessions that you missed. Focus on building back up your strength and fitness level as time goes on.
• Remain active (within reason) –
  • Depending on your injury, you can incorporate other forms of exercise into your training routine until you are ready to return to cycling. Your physiotherapist will advise you on the best activities to help you remain active while you are recovering. Pilates classes can be extremely beneficial for cyclists as it focuses on developing both leg and core strength while also improving flexibility and posture.
• Adjust your training schedule –
  • You should increase intensity and distance should be added to your cycling training over time. When starting back into your training, keep intensity to a low level and increase as weeks go by. It is important to not include intervals or power sessions into your schedule until your fitness levels have increased.

How physiotherapy can help

Your physiotherapist will assess the capacity of your injury and provide you with a tailored treatment plan to help you get back to your cycling training as soon as possible. Your physiotherapy may prescribe you with a set of strengthening and stretching exercises to carry out as part of your recovery process. Treatments such as dry needling and manual therapy are also beneficial for those recovering from a sports related injury.

If you have experienced an injury and are looking to get back to your cycling training routine, our physiotherapists at Ballsbridge Physiotherapy Clinic will be able to advise you on the best course of rehabilitation for your injury and help you devise a training schedule so that you can get back on your bike as soon as possible. If you would like to book an appointment or have any questions, contact us here.