Why Cyclists Break their Collarbones and How You can Avoid it.

Avoiding colliding with cars while cycling is a good idea, but sometimes you can still get taken out by a little girl.  We see lots of pro cyclists and triathletes breaking collarbones when they wreck, and there's a simple reason; they don't do exercises that strengthen bones.

While cycling is an awesome low-impact sport, you still need a little bit of impact to keep bones strong.  People can spend many hours per week getting fit, but still have the structural strength of a wet box of Kleenex.  Hit a pebble on the road and smack your shoulder into the pavement and you're busted to pieces.

To keep your bones strong for the inevitable crash on the bike or run, push ups are highly recommended.  The action toughens up the exact muscles and tendons you use to catch yourself when you fall.  Throw in some pull ups and some punching bag work or something similar, and the jarring action will create great bone density and greatly reduce the risk of things snapping when you hit the pavement.

Comments

[Bob Cal]

Great suggestion. !! If I may add my two cents -- once you are in shape to do twenty straight, great technique push-ups, add a few explosive push ups where as you clap you hands at the top of the movement.

Doing so will a) increase you shoulder, chest and back strength, and b) it will also apply a tensile load on your bones when you land, which will in turn add strength to the bone itself.

Again, like all other "open chain" impact injuries, only do it if you are strong and injury free in the joints that will perform the movement -- in this case the shoulder and elbow.

Happing clapping!