Sara Harper, MS
As the weather starts to cool, leaves start to change color and pumpkin spice takes over, it means cyclocross is coming.
Cyclocross is a type of bicycle racing that combines a mixture of mountain biking and road with different skills such as short bursts of running and barrier hopping. Racers complete among similar skill levels on courses generally 0.4-1.5 miles long in park-style venues making this a great spectator sport.
Why Cyclocross?
Cyclocross may help bone health
Seated traditional cycling is classified as a non-weight-bearing activity that could lead to lower bone mineral density compared to weight-bearing activities. Lower bone mineral density increases the risk of stress fractures.
The sport of cyclocross has reported high ground reaction forces from running and hopping aspects that can be considered a weight-bearing activity.
Researchers recommend combining traditional cycling with weight-bearing activities such as hopping, running, and cyclocross for the ideal exercise routine for bone health.
Cyclocross racers produce a lot of power
The shorter time and distance sport has cyclocross racers producing great amounts of power in comparison to longer race disciplines. High rates of power were produced in both seated and standing sprint conditions in this group of cyclocross racers.
Cowbell party on a bike
Cyclocross welcomes all types of racers and all kinds of weather. Riders of different backgrounds come together in the fall season. As the season changes into winter, events take place in sunny, rainy, sleet, and snow conditions. Just bring your cowbell and be ready to have some fun no matter what the weather is like.
Ride yourself into a higher quality of life
Cyclists not only receive physical benefits from the sport but report a higher quality of life with weekly rides.
Article's Resources:
Barry, D. W., & Kohrt, W. M. (2008). Exercise and the preservation of bone health. J Cardiopulm Rehabil Prev, 28(3), 153-162. doi: 10.1097/01.HCR.0000320065.50976.7c
Bertucci, W., Taiar, Redha, Yuli, Toshev, Letellier, Thierry. (2006). Comparison of Biomechanical Criteria in Cycling Maximal Effort Test. International Journal of Sports Science and Engineering, 2(1), 36-46.
Carmont, M. R. (2012). Bike racing, recreational riding, impact sport and bone health. BMC Med, 10, 169. doi: 10.1186/1741-7015-10-169
Crane, M., Rissel, C., Standen, C., & Greaves, S. (2014). Associations between the frequency of cycling and domains of quality of life. Health Promot J Austr, 25(3), 182-185. doi: 10.1071/he14053
Scofield, K. L., & Hecht, S. (2012). Bone health in endurance athletes: runners, cyclists, and swimmers. Curr Sports Med Rep, 11(6), 328-334. doi: 10.1249/JSR.0b013e3182779193
Tolly, B., Chumanov, E., & Brooks, A. (2014). Ground reaction forces and osteogenic index of the sport of cyclocross. J Sports Sci, 32(14), 1365-1373. doi: 10.1080/02640414.2014.889839