Shin splints?

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GTOgirl1969
GTOgirl1969 Posts: 2,527 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I got back from my bike ride a little while ago and my shins are killing me. Can you get shin splints from riding a bike, and if so, how long would it take to develop them after you start riding regularly?
I love the workout I get from riding, and I like the peace and quiet. I'd hate to not be able to ride!

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  • GTOgirl1969
    GTOgirl1969 Posts: 2,527 Member
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    I got back from my bike ride a little while ago and my shins are killing me. Can you get shin splints from riding a bike, and if so, how long would it take to develop them after you start riding regularly?
    I love the workout I get from riding, and I like the peace and quiet. I'd hate to not be able to ride!
  • dimplzz
    dimplzz Posts: 456 Member
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    I got back from my bike ride a little while ago and my shins are killing me. Can you get shin splints from riding a bike, and if so, how long would it take to develop them after you start riding regularly?
    I love the workout I get from riding, and I like the peace and quiet. I'd hate to not be able to ride!

    I am not sure about bike riding but I had horrible HORRIBLE shin splints when I first started walking on the treadmill. I seriously couldn't even go 6 minutes at 2 mph they were sooo bad!! I can now go about 3 miles walking/running before they start to even bother me! That is in 7-8 weeks. If I had to guess, I would say that they will definitely get better. Just make sure that you are stretching before and after each ride. That really seems to help me.
  • ptrad
    ptrad Posts: 22
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    Make sure that you are stretching your calves well, and all over your body. You can get shin splints from bike riding due to the pulling up of the pedal during the rotation. Also, Ice massage w/frozen ice cups (in paper cups) for 10 minutes after exercise to reduce inflammation. But mainly, stretch and wear good equipment.

    For running, I find the better the shoe (semi-rigid soles), the less stress on my legs. Treadmills are hard because there is the tendancy to slap the feet down. Focus on heel to toe movement and be sure to stretch ALL OVER YOUR BODY before and after, ice in between.

    Good luck! From a sports medicine specialist!
  • amymeenieminymo
    amymeenieminymo Posts: 2,394 Member
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    I'm not sure how accurate this is, but my brother once said that when you have pain when you first start an exercise, it could just be lactic acid built up.....try it a few more times and see if the pain subsides. When I started walking last week my shins hurts everyday that I walked, but after about a month I noticed it got better and then it went away altogether.
  • azwildcatfan94
    azwildcatfan94 Posts: 314 Member
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    My mother (an ex-RN and current fitness freak) swears there is some vitamin or mineral in the white part of a citrus fruit's peel that helps with shin splints.
  • Iceprincessk25
    Iceprincessk25 Posts: 1,888 Member
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    You can get shin splints from anything. It doesn't have to be from just running. I get them when I wear shoes that don't stay on my feet very well! :laugh:

    ptrad gives some good advice. Ice massage will do wonders for that area just make sure that you don't go over 10 minutes on that.

    An anti-inflam like advil, motrin or aleve will help with the soreness but make sure you take it atleast 3 days in a row so you get the anti-inflam response from them!

    Do you have flat feet by any chance?
  • exercisediva
    exercisediva Posts: 127
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    I had shin splints and my trainer came up with some exercises to strengthen them. Basically they were toe lifts with a ankle weight. I still have pain when I run but not as bad.
  • LittleLaff
    LittleLaff Posts: 14 Member
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    If leg exercises are not reducing your shin split pain, it may be how your bike is set up. Is your seat up too high or too low? Are your legs over or under exending? Are you riding your bike clipped in? Any of these bike set-up problems may cause too much stress in your body - especially in your legs (knees, shins & ankles). Years & years ago when I was biking a lot, my knees started to become painful after long rides. I found out it was because my clipped-in feet were in the wrong position it was causing a strain by twisting my legs/knees oddly thus hurting my knees. Your local bike shop rep may be able to assist you in evaluating your bike's set-up.
  • BxMom
    BxMom Posts: 363
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    I agree with most of the comments here and another way to reduce shin splints is to Tap your foot on a regular basis throughout the day. When you are sitting down with both feet flat on the floor alternate tapping them for about 30 seconds. It will cause some discomfort in the begging but the longer you can go tapping your foot the better. I know it sounds weird but it does actually work and came from a physical therapist I had many years ago.

    Hope this helps
  • ptrad
    ptrad Posts: 22
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    BxMom is right. Tapping your foot helps strengthen the muscles in front of your legs that picks up your toes so that you can step forware. A lot of good advice w/ADVIL, Ice, Heat, New shoes that fit well, Shoes made for your type of stride i.e., overpronation, supination, neutral. Hips that are in place, stretching! Stretching! Stretching! All over the Bod!

    Best to you!

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