Cycling Tour Research Articles

Injuries in a 1-Day Recreational Cycling Tour: Bike New York

Study objective: To describe injuries during a 1-day urban cycling tour. Methods: During the May 1996 “Bike New York” tour, we monitored EMS calls to identify injuries in a cohort of helmeted cyclists shielded from traffic. We collected demographic information from entry records, injury data from ambulance call reports, and follow-up on transported patients from telephone interviews with emergency physicians. Data were summarized using proportions, relative risks (RRs), 95% confidence intervals (CIs), and χ 2 Results: Approximately 28,000 cyclists participated, of which 23,502 (84%) were officially registered. Sixty-eight percent of registered bicyclists were male, and 92% were between 18 and 55 years old. Of the 140 EMS calls made during the tour, 136 (97%) involved participants; this yielded an injury incidence of 5 per 1,000 riders, or 12 to 13 per 100,000 person-miles. Injury was more common among younger cyclists (RR=1.4 for age ≤35 years versus age >35 years; 95% CI, 1.0 to 2.0; P <.05), and possibly women (RR=1.3; 95% CI, .9 to 1.8; P =.11). Injuries were mostly minor, but there were 7 concussions and 6 clavicle fractures; none of the 140 injuries was fatal. Thirty-eight calls resulted in ED transport, and 5 of these patients were admitted. Although EMS units were evenly distributed along the route, most EMS calls occurred in only 3 of the 7 zones ( P <.001). Conclusion: Injuries during the largest 1-day US cycling tour were uncommon. More data are needed to determine the relative importance of injury risk factors. Data collection during mass events may help guide distribution of EMS personnel. [Emond SD, Tayoun P, Bedolla JP, Camargo CA Jr: Injuries in a 1-day recreational cycling tour: Bike New York. Ann Emerg Med January 1999;33:56-61.]

Changes in plasma enzyme activities in professional racing cyclists.

To reports changes in plasma levels in professional racing cyclists. Plasma levels of the intracellular enzymes aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, gamma glutamyl transpeptidase, lactate dehydrogenase, and alkaline phosphatase were measured resting and after exercise in professional cyclists participating in two road races: Vuelta Ciclista a Valencia (800 km, beginning of the cyclist season), and the top rank race Vuelta a España (2700 km, at the end of cyclist season). A significant increase in plasma aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatase was observed at the end of the race over the corresponding paired start values (P < 0.05). The increase in plasma lactate dehydrogenase after the race was only statistically significant (P < 0.05) in the Vuelta a España. The longer the duration of the cycle tour race, the greater were the increases in aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase levels. The high levels returned to their start values during the overnight resting period. The presence of these enzymes in the blood is probably due to mechanically damaged muscle cells leaking their contents into the interstitial fluid.

A nuclear cycle tour of the UK

What do the 1500 or so physicists employed by the UK's nuclear industry do? And whatever their roles up to now, what of the future, given the forthcoming privatization of AEA Technology, the possible privatization of Nuclear Electric and Scottish Nuclear, and a downward trend in R&D by several of the companies? And what are the opportunities for universities?

Les activités sportives de pleine nature dans l'espace rural corse

During the last 20 years, Corsica has developed nature and open air activities the most characteristic being hiking, equestrian, ski-ing, canoeing, kayak, cycle touring etc... which are studied here. These activities are complementary to coastal tourism, and may contribute to keep what is left of the rural population in the inland villages. In addition, although the economic consequences are difficult to know, their social use appears incontestable in the perspective of putting in place a local development process integrated in the inland region.

The Older Cyclist: Anthropometric, Physiological, and Psychosocial Changes Observed During a Trans-Canada Cycle Tour

ABSTRACTA group of Canadian senior citizens (n = 22) who bicycled 7700 km across Canada, from Victoria, B.C. to St. Johns, Newfoundland, over 100 days in the summer of 1983 were the subjects of this study. Each was tested on three occasions: 2 days prior to commencement of the tour, at the geographical mid-point of the tour and within 2 days of tour completion. Comprehensive anthropometric data were collected along with evaluation of fitness and blood chemistry on all three testing occasions. Participants were also asked a series of questions designed to ascertain positive and negative psycho-social experiences and to assess their anxiety level. Generally the cyclists reated well to the tour, exhibiting objective evidence of increased fitness in the absence of negative physical or psychological changes. Self-report data indicated that subjects generally enjoyed the tour, felt their endurance had increased, and perceived other improvements such as increased self-confidence, reduced anxiety, and improved appetite.

Cyclist's palsy: Neurological and EMG study in 4 cases with distal ulnar lesions

Four cases of cyclist's palsy — a distal compression syndrome of the ulnar nerve which can develop after long cycling tours — are described. In two patients extensive neurological and electromyographic (EMG) studies were performed in order to document the degree and time course of recovery of the motor and sensory deficiencies. In contrast to earlier EMG-studies it could be demonstrated that not only the deep motor branch of the ulnar nerve is involved, but also that a severe lesion of the superficial branch supplying the skin of the 4th and 5th finger can occur, as indicated by a complete loss of the orthodromic sensory action potential recorded above the ulnar nerve in both cases. The results furthermore show that a functionally significant paresis of the hand muscles can persist for several months. The pathogenesis and some practical implications will be discussed.

Studies on the Physiological Load of Cycling

To estimate the value of physiological load of cycling with special reference to cardiorespiratory responses, oxygen intake, pulmonary ventilation and heart rate was measured directly during seven kinds of bicycle ergometer work in the laboratory, and heart rate during outdoor cycling were also obtained by the telemetry method for seven healthy young males of ages from 19 to 21 years.physiological load was expressed by % of maximal oxygen intake (% of Vo2 max.). Maximal oxygen intake was directly measured by the Daglas Bag method, and oxygen intake levels were estimated indirectly from heart rate levels during cycling using the regression equations determined for each individual between directly measured oxygen intake and heart rate. Outdoor cycling was made under the following conditions: (a) Twenty-one kinds of conditions which consisted of 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35 km per hour of cycling speed and 1, 67 (40×24), 2.35 (40×17), 3.13 (50×16) gear ratios of pedaling. (b) Long distance cycling tour of about 120 km as a prolonged exercise.Results obtained were as follows: (1) High significant correlation was obtained between oxygen intake and heart rate for each subject. (2) When cycling speed was increased to 15 km per hour on level ground, physiological load gradually reached the level of 30%Vo2 max. However, when increased to 30 or 35 km, it was indicated abrupt increase at 80 or 900 level, (3) There was significant different of physiological load among gear ratio of pedaling, (4) In the case of long distance cycling tour, heart rate was changed from 94 to 164 beats per minutes, so that predicted levels of physiological load was between 45 to 75% of Vo2 max.

An experimental in socialization of adult criminal mental defectives.

During the Spring of 1952 in the course of my work with adult male defectives, I made a practice of taking groups of them for walks and short cycling trips outside the grounds of the Institution. I decided it might be worth while to undertake a prolonged tour. In June, Dr. Curran gave me permission to take seven high grade defective adult males on a two weeks' cycling tour.

Education in Belgium and Holland

DURING a recent cycling tour in parts of Belgium and Holland, as well as during the outward and homeward voyages on a Dutch trading steamer plying between a neighbouring Cornish port and Amsterdam and Antwerp, I have been greatly struck by several examples of the apparent educational superiority of Holland and Belgium over our own country, and at the present moment these examples may not be without interest to your readers.

An Excellent View of the Retinal Circulation

ON a cycling tour recently, after riding some forty miles, with much hill-climbing and against a strong wind, I lay down on a grassy bank facing the east, towards sunset. Viewing the clear eastern sky, I obtained a most remarkable view of my own retinal circulation. A companion also got an excellent view of his own blood corpuscles. The apparent circulation occupied a considerable portion of the visual field, and a most vivid conception was obtained of the relative slowness of movement in the capillaries. It occurred to me afterwards that the reason of the phenomenon was the hyperæsthesia of the retina, caused by the dilatation of the arterioles, which is a characteristic of excessive cycling. It would be interesting to learn whether others have obtained similar experiences.