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Bike Riding, Knee Pain, and Volleyball..an observation

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Bike Riding, Knee Pain, and Volleyball..an observation

Old 10-29-08, 12:10 PM
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Bike Riding, Knee Pain, and Volleyball..an observation

Here is my situation. I played a lot of volleyball in my younger days(before kids). Now that the kids are getting older and more self sufficient I took up playing volleyball again. It is competitive volleyball not just a back yard get together thing. I pride myself on my jumping abilities. Yes, I am a clyde, 235lbs 6'2". For some reason I have a talent to jump high. I can still touch a basketball rim. However, after playing for a year or 2 , 2 to 3 times a week my knees said "We had enough fat boy" and started to cause pain, severe at times. It was diagnosed as patellar tendonitis which takes a very long time to go away. I cut my playing time down to maybe 1 month if at all. I have been relegated to a sub, which is OK with me, as long as I get to play sometimes. When I started having all the knee pain, I started riding bike more. This past year I have ridden more then I ever have and my knees feel great. I have been road and MTB riding. I hadn't played Volleyball since last spring and have been playing every other week. My knees felt great. Two Sundays ago, I went for an MTB epic ride of about 15 miles and there was a lot of hill climbing. I had an hour rest between the ride and playing volleyball that night. My knees were pain free while playing and the next 2 weeks after. I rode that following Wednesday and they were still pain free. That was the last time I rode. Then this past Sunday I played volleyball again(1.5 weeks without riding). My knees started to get sore in the 3rd game. Then on Monday through today they hurt like a ......, they hurt alot. I am making a direct correlation between consistently riding my bike and my knees being pain free. When I ride I usually include some decent hill climbing which does not hurt my knees. Can there be degradation in the muscles around the knees when I don't ride? Does the constant motion of riding increase the blood flow around the knee joint to keep things strong in there? I am guessing here but was wondering if any one had any input. I enjoy playing volleyball and riding but the weather has hit the crapper here in Central Pennsylvania and with the day light decreasing, and hunting season in full swing I am finding difficulty fitting in riding time to keep my knees strong. I am cringing going to the gym and ride a stationary(I do have a trainer but I want to be on the road or trails) it's just not the same workout.
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Old 10-29-08, 05:18 PM
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Originally Posted by BigUgly
I am cringing going to the gym and ride a stationary(I do have a trainer but I want to be on the road or trails) it's just not the same workout.
I can get as good of a workout on my rollers (trainer but better in my opinion) as I get riding outside. I use a heart rate monitor. I can do interval training, long slow riding, consistant riding, one leg workouts, century rides, etc...........

Don't be afraid of the trainer and use it for a real workout.
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Old 10-29-08, 05:28 PM
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I was sort of the opposite I guess. I love playing vollyeball. Played for 5 years in leagues. One of the most enjoyable games. I was riding and playing. If I didn't do light lunges and squats to warm the knees before a game, I'd feel a tendancy to twist.

If I didn't ride much, no sweat. The two different movements is what got me!

I'm 6'1. Could never touch the rim, but at 240, 1/2 an inch short of the rim aint bad. Some people think VB is a sissy sport (those that haven't played competitively). They think different if they saw some of the guys leaving with "Wilson" across their foreheads! I loved to spike and we had some really good setters!
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Old 10-29-08, 06:36 PM
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I love volleyball also, but I am enjoying my swimming, biking, running, etc....... I used to be able to dunk two hand behind my head, but that was 6'3" and 175 and before a car accident.
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Old 10-30-08, 10:27 PM
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Haven't got the height for Volleyball or b-ball but love to compete. Hockey and Rugby were my games. If you're looking to make rides in the trainer count, use music and be conscientious about your cadence. It's too easy to use a trainer session as an "easy spin" while watching the news, Rachel Maddow, ESPN highlights..whatever. You gotta remember that varying tempo and turnover really matter when using a trainer. Switch gears, stand-up, do whatever you have to do to get the heart rate up and soak that tee shirt.

Oh and All Hail the Phillies, 2008 World Champions of Baseball!

David, Seattle (ex-Philly, a long time ago)
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Old 10-31-08, 08:12 AM
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Played VB for 10 years (6'3" and 230 lbs). Beach and USVBA, men's and co-ed. Loved it! But one too many twists has wrecked my ankles. Of course developing gout in them didn’t help either. Now I bike, pretty much exclusively, and have little problems with them.
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