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Chiropractic Improves Athletic Performance Of Bicyclists

The magazine Vector [1999;2(4)] highlights a study that found bicyclists were able to improve their performance after undergoing a short program of chiropractic care.

The study involved six subjects, 4 male and 2 female. Three of the males and both females were competitive, trained racers.

They were initially tested to establish their base line performance score on a CompuTrainer, a stationary, computerized trainer which allows the rider’s own bike to be attached. A computer allows different loads to be applied to the rear wheel. The computer also measures the amount of force being applied to the pedals to help determine whether the rider is pedaling “round” (evenly) throughout the entire revolution. It is also able to measure the difference in the amount of force applied between the right and left leg.

After the riders were examined and adjusted by a chiropractor, they were retested on the CompuTrainer 1-2 weeks later. The trainer settings and testing protocol were identical to the initial test.

Five of the riders reported a lower perceived effort of how hard they were working at the same work load during the retest. Five of the riders also experienced improvement in biomechanical efficiency, pedaling “rounder” as measured by the computer on the trainer. This indicates that a rider can ride longer before fatiguing since the legs are working the pedals more like a motor rather than a piston.

Commentary: Chiropractic care improves all aspects of body performance, physical, mental or athletic, by correcting vertebral subluxations which interfere with nervous system and body function.

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