The hip flexor is a group of muscles that function hip movement forward while running or walking. It sustains much stress while sprinting, jumping and kicking.
The hip flexor’s three muscles are
- rectus femoris
- psoas major
- and illiacus
These tertiary muscles provide stability to the lower extremity of the body. These muscles often lack hip joint flexibility, and not always due to lack of strength from initial prognosis.
A cycling hip flexor injury can also result in loss of motion at the hip. Trochanteric bursitis typically causes pain on the outside of the hip from inflammation in the bursa. A fluid-filled sac to protect the hip.
The hip labrum, cartilage in the socket part of the ball and socket hip joint, may tear acutely from one incident, or chronically that gradually culminates in pain.
Commonly cycling related strains of the hip are
- the hip flexors
- groins
- hamstrings
- gluteals
- and quadriceps
Typical treatment consists of strengthening specially on the quadriceps, hamstrings, gluteals, hip flexors and adductors, and doing soft tissue work to improve flexibility of tight muscles.
A strengthening program can prevent further aggravation, so gradually increase cycling intensity and frequency. Using equipment of the wrong size stresses joints and muscles.
