Dataset Information

Effect of Oscillation on Perineal Pressure in Cyclists: Implications for Micro-Trauma.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Genital numbness and erectile dysfunction in cyclists may result from repeated perineal impacts on the bicycle saddle (micro-trauma) that occur during routine cycling.

Aim

To evaluate the relationship between oscillation forces and perineal pressures among cyclists in a simulated laboratory setting.

Methods

Participants were fit to a study bicycle to ensure all cyclists had the same torso angle (60 ± 1 degree) and maximum knee angle (150 ± 1 degree). A lever system was used to generate oscillation events of 3 progressively increasing magnitudes. Perineal pressure was continuously measured using a pressure sensor on the bicycle saddle. This process was carried out in each of the following conditions: (1) stationary (not pedaling) with the standard seatpost, (2) pedaling with standard seatpost, (3) stationary with seatpost shock absorber, and (4) pedaling with seatpost shock absorber.

Outcomes

We compared perineal pressure changes during oscillation events in the stationary and pedaling states, with and without the seatpost shock absorber.

Results

A total of 39 individuals were recruited (29 men and 10 women). As the amount of oscillation increased from an average of 0.7g (acceleration due to Earth's gravity) to 1.3g, the perineal pressure increased from 10.3% over baseline to 19.4% over baseline. There was a strong linear relationship between the amount of oscillation and increase in pressure (r² = 0.8, P < .001). A seatpost shock absorber decreased the impact of oscillation by 53% in the stationary condition. Men and women absorbed the majority of shock in areas corresponding to pelvic bony landmarks.

Conclusion

This study represents one of the first characterizations of cycling-associated perineal micro-trauma in a laboratory setting. We found a strong linear relationship between oscillation magnitude and perineal pressure during cycling, which was mitigated by a seatpost shock absorber. The use of shock absorption in bicycle design may reduce perineal micro-trauma and potentially improve cycling-associated perineal numbness and erectile dysfunction. Sanford T, Gadzinski AJ, Gaither T, et al. Effect of Oscillation on Perineal Pressure in Cyclists: Implications for Micro-Trauma. Sex Med 2018;6:239-247.

SUBMITTER: Sanford T

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6085221 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Effect of Oscillation on Perineal Pressure in Cyclists: Implications for Micro-Trauma.

Sanford Thomas T Gadzinski Adam J AJ Gaither Thomas T Osterberg E Charles EC Murphy Greg P GP Carroll Peter R PR Breyer Benjamin N BN

Sexual medicine 20180620 3

<h4>Background</h4>Genital numbness and erectile dysfunction in cyclists may result from repeated perineal impacts on the bicycle saddle (micro-trauma) that occur during routine cycling.<h4>Aim</h4>To evaluate the relationship between oscillation forces and perineal pressures among cyclists in a simulated laboratory setting.<h4>Methods</h4>Participants were fit to a study bicycle to ensure all cyclists had the same torso angle (60 ± 1 degree) and maximum knee angle (150 ± 1 degree). A lever syst ...[more]

PMID: 29936216

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Project description:BackgroundPerineal trauma, involving either naturally occurring tears or episiotomy, is common during childbirth but little is known about its psychological impact. This study aimed to determine the associations between childbirth related perineal trauma and psychological outcomes reported by women three months after giving birth and to explore factors that could mediate relationships between perineal trauma and maternal psychological outcomes.MethodsThis study was a secondary analysis of data from a cross-sectional population-based survey of maternal and infant health. A total of 4,578 women responded to the survey, of which 3,307 had a vaginal birth and were eligible for inclusion into the analysis. Symptoms of depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress (PTS) symptoms were assessed using validated self- report measures. Physical symptoms were derived from a checklist and combined to produce a composite physical symptoms score. Regression models were fitted to explore the associations.ResultsNearly three quarters of women experienced some degree of perineal trauma. Women who experienced perineal trauma reported having more postnatal physical symptoms (adjusted proportional odds ratio 1.47, 95%CI 1.38 to 1.57, p-value < 0.001), were more likely to report PTS symptoms (adjusted OR 1.19, 95%CI 1.04 to 1.36, p-value 0.010), and there was strong evidence that each unit increase in the physical symptoms score was associated with between 38 and 90% increased adjusted odds of adverse psychological symptoms. There was no evidence of association between perineal trauma and satisfaction with postnatal care, although there was strong evidence that satisfaction with labour and birth was associated with 16% reduced adjusted odds of depression and 30% reduced adjusted odds of PTS symptoms.ConclusionsWomen who experienced perineal trauma were more likely to experience physical symptoms, and the more physical symptoms a woman experienced the more likely she was to report having postnatal depression, anxiety and PTS symptoms. There was some evidence of a direct association between perineal trauma and PTS symptoms but no evidence of a direct association between perineal trauma and depression or anxiety. Assessment and management of physical symptoms in the postnatal period may play an important role in reducing both physical and psychological postnatal morbidity.

Dataset Information

Effect of Oscillation on Perineal Pressure in Cyclists: Implications for Micro-Trauma.

Background

Aim

Methods

Outcomes

Results

Conclusion

Publications

Effect of Oscillation on Perineal Pressure in Cyclists: Implications for Micro-Trauma.

Similar Datasets

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