Lower limb vascular dysfunction in cyclists

• Autor(a) principal: Alencar,Thiago Ayala Melo Di
• Data de Publicação: 2013
• Outros Autores: Matias,Karinna Ferreira de Sousa, Aguiar,Bruno do Couto
• Tipo de documento: Artigo
• Idioma: eng
• Título da fonte: Jornal Vascular Brasileiro (Online)
• Texto Completo: http://old.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1677-54492013000200139
• topic: cycling; peripheral arteriopathy; blood flow; stenosis

Sports-related vascular insufficiency affecting the lower limbs is uncommon, and early signs and symptoms can be confused with musculoskeletal injuries. This is also the case among professional cyclists, who are always at the threshold between endurance and excess training. The aim of this review was to analyze the occurrence of vascular disorders in the lower limbs of cyclists and to discuss possible etiologies. Eighty-five texts, including papers and books, published from 1950 to 2012, were used. According to the literature reviewed, some cyclists receive a late diagnosis of vascular dysfunction due to a lack of familiarity of the medical team with this type of dysfunction. Data revealed that a reduced blood flow in the external iliac artery, especially on the left, is much more common than in the femoral and popliteal arteries, and that vascular impairment is responsible for the occurrence of early fatigue and reduced performance in cycling.