Hamstring pain during cycling is a common symptom we frequently encounter and treat at our Boulder Physical Therapy and Lafayette Physical Therapy Clinics. Many cyclists associate this discomfort with a proximal hamstring problem due to pain felt near the sit bone while on the saddle. In our clinics, we’ve observed a correlation between this pain and weak hip abductors. These lateral muscles of the hip not only move the leg outward but, more importantly, help control the orientation of the knee and pelvis during the pedal stroke.

It’s hypothesized that when the lateral hip muscles are weak, the sit bone may shear across the saddle, potentially leading to compression and irritation of the hamstring tendon where it inserts into the pelvis. Other contributing factors include tightness in spinal structures that affect pelvic alignment, weak core muscles, and improper bike fit. This underscores the importance of a comprehensive assessment of both riding posture and the musculoskeletal system to effectively resolve hamstring pain in cyclists.  The assessment helps our PT experts determine which impairments are most applicable to your symptoms and which treatments will be most effective for getting back to 100%.

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