COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (August 25, 2012) Post-crash management during a bike race can make the difference between retiring from the race and continuing under potentially life-threatening circumstances. A cyclist with a concussion may keep on racing for the sake of his team, sponsors, and sometimes, his paycheck. The lively topic of concussions in cycling started off Day 2 of the third annual Medicine of Cycling Conference, where attendees learned how to determine if an athlete has suffered a concussion and what are the current tools and different methods to diagnose a potentially concussed athlete. Neurologist Jeffrey Kutcher, MD and researcher Steven Broglio PhD of the University of Michigan Neurosport presented the latest findings from the fast-moving field of research of brain injury.
The attendees were also reminded about life-threatening issues that may be elevated in cyclists through improper skin care. Timothy Berger, MD, a professor of clinical dermatology at UCSF, presented some of the most important skin-related issues facing cycling: sun exposure and protection, road rash, saddle sores, skin cancer and poison oak/poison ivy.
"The sessions so far have been great, and I was particularly impressed with the dermatology lecture," said Rozanne Puleo, a family nurse practitioner and registered clinical exercise physiologist from Boston. "The skin is our largest organ, and one frequently impacted by the sport of cycling, but because it is seemingly non life-threatening, it gets under-emphasized in sports medicine circles. But today's talk reminded us of the great risk our cyclists face in terms of skin cancer, and also provided practical tips for prevention that can apply to every cyclist in every discipline."
Stephen Hess Esq. addressed the legal ramifications of practicing telemedicine, which he defined as any audio/video/data communication that occurs in the physician's presence with the patient. From a legal standpoint, Hess explained that the "practice of medicine" varies from state to state and advised attendees to check the law before traveling.
The afternoon set the stage for the controversial topic of bike fit, in which Curtis Cramblett, PT delivered an overview of bicycle fitting tools, technologies, theory, and practice. The fact that bike fitting is not yet a licensed profession has created a legion of self-described bike fit experts and unvalidated theories on "proper bike fit." To address this, the newly-formed Medicine of Cycling Bike Fit Task Force commenced panel discussions in order to build some consensus on this topic of great importance. The task force and panelists include some of the foremost experts on bicycle fitting from the diverse stakeholder groups of the bicycle industry, physical therapy, bicycle retailers and physicians.
The conference continues tomorrow at 8 a.m. (MST) with presentations on lower extremity conditions in cycling, nutrition for high performing cyclists, cardiovascular screening, the female cyclist, triathlon medicine, and cycling and doping. For more information, visit https://www.medicineofcycling.com/syllabus-for-2012-medicine-of-cycling-cme-conference/
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