{"id":11188,"date":"2024-07-12T06:00:20","date_gmt":"2024-07-12T05:00:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.bmj.com\/bjsm\/?p=11188"},"modified":"2024-07-15T11:53:09","modified_gmt":"2024-07-15T10:53:09","slug":"saddle-sores-a-pain-in-the-bottom-for-cyclists-of-all-levels","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.bmj.com\/bjsm\/2024\/07\/12\/saddle-sores-a-pain-in-the-bottom-for-cyclists-of-all-levels\/","title":{"rendered":"Saddle Sores. A pain in the bottom for cyclists of all levels."},"content":{"rendered":"

Authors: <\/b>Thomas Fallon (<\/span>1,2),<\/span> Eimear Crowley (<\/span>3)<\/span>, and Paul Carragher (<\/span>3)<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

This blog provides education on saddle sores and practical advice to help reduce prevalence in cyclists, from commuters to professionals. \u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Saddle sores are an underreported problem that many cyclists experience. Saddle sores present as a painful nodule located in the \u2018saddle area\u2019 for cyclists which encompasses the inner thighs, perineum, genitals, and buttocks. The true prevalence of saddle sores amongst the cycling population is unknown, mainly due to the lack of prospective injury and illness insight within cycling [1, 2]. Indeed, saddle sores may not only impact the competitive cyclist, the commuter, the weekend recreational cyclist and those who use cycling as a form of occupation may also experience saddle sores. Evidence shows the popularity of cycling is increasing, especially at a population level [3]. Thus, the impact of saddle sores should be considered as they could reduce the overall enjoyment of exercise which in turn may reduce the frequency and duration of participation.This in turn will impact the positive health impact of cycling exercise [4].<\/span><\/p>\n

As part of surveillance insights gained from Cycling Ireland\u2019s athlete development program over 3 years, one of the most reported \u201chealth problems\u201d by junior cyclists was saddle sores or saddle-related discomfort. An athlete \u2018health problem\u2019 is defined as \u201cany condition that reduces an athlete\u2019s normal state of full health, irrespective of its consequences on the athlete\u2019s sports participation or performance, or whether the athlete sought medical attention\u201d [5, 6]. As a first step to reducing the prevalence and impact of saddle sores amongst cyclists in Ireland, we created a four-part educational series of infographics to provide practical, basic advice to help raise awareness about the potential causes and prevention strategies for saddle sores. Click here for PDF of below infographic. <\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

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This infographic series was developed with multi-disciplinary input from national coaches, performance leads and physiotherapists working within cycling. An initial draft was created with an iterative review process leading to the development of the following infographic series. \u00a0 As a result of this process, three main themes emerged.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Where can we start in getting to the bottom of saddle sores?<\/h3>\n

Hygiene<\/span><\/h4>\n