Article

Chronic ulnar nerve compression is believed to be the primary cause
of sensory and motor impairments of the hand in cyclists, a condition termed
Cyclist's Palsy. The purpose of this study was to quantitatively evaluate the
effects that hand position and glove type can have on pressure over the ulnar
nerve, specifically in the hypothenar region of the hand. METHODS: Thirty-six
experienced cyclists participated. Subjects rode at a constant cadence and power
output on a stationary bicycle with their hands in the tops, drops and hoods of a
standard drop handlebar. A high resolution pressure mat was used to record hand
pressure with no gloves, unpadded gloves, foam-padded gloves and gel-padded
gloves. Wrist posture was simultaneously monitored with a motion capture system.
Laser scans of the subject's hand were separately acquired to register pressure
maps onto the hand anatomy. FINDINGS: Average peak hypothenar pressures of
134-165kPa were recorded when cyclists did not wear gloves. A drops hand position
induced the greatest hypothenar pressure and most extended wrist posture. Padded
gloves were able to reduce hypothenar pressure magnitudes by 10 to 28%, with
slightly better pressure reduction achieved using thin foam padding.
INTERPRETATION: The hand pressure magnitudes and loading patterns seen in
steady-state cycling are of sufficient magnitude to induce ulnar nerve damage if
maintained for long periods. Wearing padded gloves and changing hand position can
reduce the magnitude and duration of loading patterns, which are both important
to mitigate risk for Cyclist's Palsy during extended rides.
CI - Copyright (c) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS