PostureFlex

ADVENTURE CYCLING MAGAZINE
While searching the Internet for information on bicycle saddles in the summer of 1999, I came across an interesting site offered by Lee Cole, a San Francisco man whose left leg had atrophied to near uselessness by the age of 20. The medical professionals were of no help to Lee, other than to recommend he prepare for a life of pain and immobility. Not willing to settle for this, Lee eventually came up with a solution that he applied to a variety of activities, including cycling. Most folks who spend long periods of time on a bicycle have experienced pain of some kind, especially in the back, neck, shoulders or knees. Lee¹s ³3/32² Solution² is based on one main principle: that poor posture is the cause of these pains, and a variety of other ailments that afflict a majority of the human population. According to Dr. Allan MacKenzie, currently the chief medical officer of California¹s department of industrial relations, ³His thesis is that poor posture is largely due to evolutionary forces exacerbated by environmental factors, which have ultimately resulted in human asymmetry. Specifically, most of us have developed a functionally long leg, usually the left. To accommodate this asymmetry we have developed a compensatory three-dimensional pelvic tilt with a resultant loss of the normal and necessary lumbar curve. Because of the force couples and linked facetal translation which occurs in the human spine, a compensatory deformity develops in the upper back ‹ hyper/hypo kyphosis and the cervical spine ‹ hyper/hypo lordosis. Mr. Cole has developed these concepts from his interpretation of the literature on human posture and from years of observing the biomechanics of normal and athletic gait.² Pretty technical stuff, but what it boils down to is this, according to Cole:

³Crank rotation is symmetrical and human beings are asymmetrical. I was able to see the pattern in human asymmetry and use 3/32" lifts to close the gap between the perfection of crank rotation and human imperfection. The reasoning is simple. Most people ride with a humped back. A hump back conceals a twisting spine. The rider with a twisting spine also has limited neck flexibility so they have to raise their handlebars in order to see the road ahead.

³Raising the right hip always tips the pelvic bowl forward, increasing all the body's structural arches simultaneously. These arches stabilize the upper body while adding flexibility to the neck, shoulders, hips, knees, and ankles. This means that you can drop your handlebars about six inches and still see the road without neck or shoulder discomfort. With low handle bars, it makes it possible to ride faster and stronger.

³Here is a good test. Go riding on a sunny day. Do you like the shadow you cast? The athlete's shadow never lies. Boxers train by it. Why not cyclists! Your shadow will either move with grace or brutally reveal an absence of grace.²

My experience with Cole¹s approach has been a positive one. I began to experience lower back pain some years ago, and no amount of situps to strengthen my stomach muscles seemed to alleviate the problem. I assumed I would be dealing with the pain, unless I converted to a recumbent bicycle. After speaking with Lee on the phone, I decided to give his system a try. It consists of a saddle that is 3/32² higher on the right side, a 3/32² insert in the right shoe and a 3/32² insert in the right cycling glove. Lee explained that it would take some time before I began to notice a change in my posture when riding, and that the goal was for me to eventually lean forward with a straight back, as opposed to hunching over.

I began to notice the difference about midway through my second ride using Lee¹s SeatWright 3/32² Solution, and my posture improved further as weeks went by. I found myself riding in a more forward and lower position and, although my back pain was not gone completely, it was much reduced. Another benefit emerged unexpectedly from the Solution and was quite welcomed. Because of my posture change, I experienced less discomfort associated with numbness due to restricted blood flow of the pudendal artery and less irritation of the soft tissue, because my weight shifted off the pressure points in that area. This issue has gotten a lot of attention in the cycling press over the past couple of years, and the saddle manufacturers have developed a variety of designs to combat the problem. The 3/32² Solution is a different approach, without the cutouts, gel or floating components.

Lest you think that the 3/32² Solution is just one man¹s idea that hasn¹t been reviewed, Lee Cole has just been granted a patent, and in the future will teach a seminar on Spine Biomechanics at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) based on the Solution. It has also been examined by doctors, physical therapists and chiropractors, as well as the interested parties at UCSF.

If you are interested in learning more about the 3/32² Solution contact Lee Cole at (800) 554-1235, Email: leecole@skates .com or visit his Website @ http://www.seat wright.com/main.html.

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