Vertigo in downhill mountain biking and road cycling

Abstract

Vertigo has been described after the practice of mountain bike. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of vertigo following competitions or training sessions of downhill mountain biking (DMB) or road cycling (RC). One hundred and two DMB riders, 79 road cyclists and 73 control participants filled in a survey intended to evaluate the prevalence of vertigo in daily living activities and following competitions or training sessions. Vertigo causal factors (crashes, head trauma, fatigue, characteristics of the path/road ridden) were recorded. DMB riders and road cyclists did not report more vertigo during daily living activities than controls. But DMB riders older than 30 had more risk to report vertigo than age-matched road cyclists (OR: 5.06, 95% CI: 1.23-20.62). Road cyclists aged between 20 and 29 were 2.59-fold (95% CI: 1.06-6.27) more likely to report vertigo than controls. After competitions and training sessions, DMB riders were 2.33-fold (95% CI: 1.22-4.41) more likely to report vertigo than road cyclists. Vertigo causal factors were crash with head trauma in DMB riders and fatigue in road cyclists. Vertigo during daily living activities may be of concern for cyclists, particularly older DMB riders. The accumulation of impacts (crashes, vibrations) during the career of a DMB rider may generate micro-traumatisms of the central nervous system and/or peripheral vestibular structures, particularly the otolith organs. In RC, the pathophysiological mechanisms generating vertigo might be effort-related disturbance of homeostasis. To avoid injuries, DMB riders should be aware that vertigo may occur at the end of training sessions or competitions.

Understanding and Managing Trauma-Induced Vestibular Deficits

“…48 The accumulation of impacts (crashes, vibrations) during the career of a downhill mountain biker may generate micro-trauma to the central nervous system and/or peripheral vestibular structures, particularly the otoliths. 46 Concussions are more common among adolescents than in other age groups, particularly because sports participation is more common in this age group. 49 It is necessary to recognize acute emergencies for the sportsman and the possibility of acute trauma to the labyrinth.…”

“…The sports most associated with mild TBI are boxing (involving knockouts), team sports (soccer, American football, rugby, ice hockey, water polo), 42 , 43 mountain biking, 44 and skiing, especially freestyle (halfpipe).…”

“…The accumulation of impacts (crashes, vibrations) during the career of a downhill mountain biker may generate micro-trauma to the central nervous system and/or peripheral vestibular structures, particularly the otoliths. 44 …”

Incidence of injuries and illness and related risk factors in mountain biking events: A systematic review protocol

“…Mountain biking includes highly technical riding through rough terrain, forest tracks, gravel pathways and steep downhills, with only a small percentage of riding on tarred roads (2). The challenges of road cycling include negotiating other vehicles and pedestrians in traffic (3,4). Mountain bikes, while varying widely in design, in general, have wider tyres with greater grip and suspension on either the front wheel, or both, in comparison to road bicycles (5).…”

Incidence of injuries and illness and related risk factors in mountain biking events: A systematic review protocol

“…These routes are usually between 60 and 120 km (2). Mountain biking can include highly technical riding through rough terrain and with steep downhills, while the challenges of road cycling include negotiating other vehicles and pedestrians in traffic (3,4). Competitive races are becoming more demanding and have evolved into multi-stage races in both road and mountain cycling categories (5).…”