(HealthDay) -- Low handlebar positioning relative to the bicycle saddle is associated with increased perineal saddle pressure and decreased sensation in critical pelvic floor structures, according to research published online March 5 in the Journal of Sexual Medicine.
Sarah N. Partin, M.S.P.H., of the Texas A&M Health Science Center in College Station, and colleagues performed a sub-analysis on a group of 48 previously-studied competitive female cyclists who were nonpregnant, premenopausal women who rode at least 10 miles per week, four weeks per month. Genital sensation was measured in microns using biosthesiometry measures of vibratory thresholds. Perineal and total saddle pressures were determined using a specialized pressure map and recorded in kilopascals (kPA).
The researchers found that handlebars positioned lower than the saddle correlated with significantly increased perineum saddle pressures and decreased anterior vaginal and left labial genital sensation. No association was found between low handlebars and total saddle pressures or altered genital sensation in other areas. After adjusting for variables of age and saddle type, low handlebars were linked with significant increases in mean perineum saddle pressures (3.47 kPA) and anterior vagina vibratory threshold (0.86 microns).
"Handlebars positioned lower than the saddle were significantly associated with increased perineum saddle pressures and decreased genital sensation in female cyclists," the authors write.
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Aug 24, 2005
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not rated yet Mar 16, 2012SO...I guess....that is 'good'...? Perhaps...it is good during riding...?!? Does it ...what does.... this mean and, or, what are you trying to tell the wary female, everyday, hardworking, intelligent person? Please., doctor, professor, brainiac, Sarah N. Partin, M.S.P.H., of the Texas A&M Health Science Center in College Station???
word-to-the-muthas
Tausch
not rated yet Mar 17, 2012At 20mph, this amounts to sitting on a saddle for four minutes, seventeen seconds and a seventh second, daily.
You will have spend thirty minutes sitting on a saddle after seven days.
You will have spend two hours sitting on a saddle after four weeks.
Distance traveled per month: Forty miles.
Distance traveled per day? Under a mile and a half a day.
Hint:(one seventh times ten equals miles traveled per day)
For genital sensation the time is too short - with, without, high or low handlebars.
My daily saddle/mileage pensum?
Two hours saddle time and sixty miles daily.
The cycle seat is crotchless - have no desire (pun intended)to share the same fate as Armstrong.
diego3rd
5 / 5 (1) Mar 17, 2012baudrunner
not rated yet Mar 19, 2012Derpina
not rated yet Mar 24, 2012No. Read the article again. A woman's ability to feel sexual stimulation (for the rest of their lives) is harmed if the handlebars are too low on her bike.
"By the way, who cares? "
Well, it's scientific and medical, so it's interesting, and it is also a significant worry female cyclists and those who care about them should consider.
"And what is this ridiculous article doing here?"
It's a big internet, and no one is forcing you to read this article.