Back hurt?
03-07-18 | 11:22 AM
#1
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 4,340
Likes: 496
From: Bristol, R. I.
Bikes: Specialized Secteur, old Peugeot
Back hurt?
I came across this news item relating to posture when bent over and the best way to bend. As a life long back sufferer, the advice offered fits right in with my own experience in reducing the effects if a bad back. The advice is to maintain a straight back when bending and as cyclists we are admonished to keep a straight back on the bike. https://www.npr.org/sections/health-...e-their-spines
03-07-18 | 11:44 PM
#2
Me duelen las nalgas
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 13,519
Likes: 2,832
From: Texas
Bikes: Centurion Ironman, Trek 5900, Univega Via Carisma, Globe Carmel
Good in principle. I suspect the main difference is in leg strength due to differences in how people sit to rest. In some cultures people squat to rest, which helps with leg strength and flexibility.
Americans tend to use their full leg capabilities as little as possible. I get the impression many regard squatting as undignified. They bend over from the waist with straight legs because their legs are weak. They often sit on the ground rather than squatting. My grandmother was among the very few women I knew who used her back and legs properly when gardening or working around the house. Her strength, flexibility and balance were remarkably good well into her 80s.
And Americans tend to flop down into chairs, using their leg muscles as little as possible until they need to get up again. By the time they're older they've lost so much strength and flexibility it becomes even more difficult.
I noticed this with my mom. By the time she was in her 50s she had poor strength, flexibility and balance. Rather than backing up to a sofa or chair and using her legs to lower herself, she'd flop backward. A few times she'd miss and land on the floor, increasing the risk of injuries and further reducing her strength and flexibility. Her doctors, nurses, physical therapists and I would encourage her to sit and stand properly but it was too late to change her habits.
Even on my non-workout days I try to squat slowly a couple of times a day just to stretch my thighs and calves and improve overall strength and flexibility. My legs tend to be really tight after workouts and bike rides, so I need the extra stretching.
Americans tend to use their full leg capabilities as little as possible. I get the impression many regard squatting as undignified. They bend over from the waist with straight legs because their legs are weak. They often sit on the ground rather than squatting. My grandmother was among the very few women I knew who used her back and legs properly when gardening or working around the house. Her strength, flexibility and balance were remarkably good well into her 80s.
And Americans tend to flop down into chairs, using their leg muscles as little as possible until they need to get up again. By the time they're older they've lost so much strength and flexibility it becomes even more difficult.
I noticed this with my mom. By the time she was in her 50s she had poor strength, flexibility and balance. Rather than backing up to a sofa or chair and using her legs to lower herself, she'd flop backward. A few times she'd miss and land on the floor, increasing the risk of injuries and further reducing her strength and flexibility. Her doctors, nurses, physical therapists and I would encourage her to sit and stand properly but it was too late to change her habits.
Even on my non-workout days I try to squat slowly a couple of times a day just to stretch my thighs and calves and improve overall strength and flexibility. My legs tend to be really tight after workouts and bike rides, so I need the extra stretching.
