Uneven muscle development – any advice?

[silversurfer]

In all my years of cycling, I've been extremely lucky and have not suffered from any major injuries. In the last couple of months, I started to experience knee pain, first on the right then on the left due to compensation. I knew that I had made too many changes to soon and that was stupid, and thought that was the problem. I undid some of the changes, rode on lower gears and rested, and there was some improvement. Anyway, I saw an osteopath and it was largely good news – the problem is muscular rather and trashed knees, and I can continue to ride, at least for the time being, but with treatment, some changes and stretching exercises. It appears that my main problem is the fact that I'm extremely right sided (something I'm aware of) and muscle development on that side is greater than on my left side, enough to be a problem. There is also an uneveness in the development between the muscles on the outside (greater) and inside of my legs.

I need to learn how to work my muscles more evenly and I'm paying more attention to this when I ride now. Has anybody else on TE experienced this and do you have any techniques you can share? Hope this makes sense.

[indysteel]

I say this based solely on my experiences with my own muscle imbalances, but most of the work that I needed to do--at least initially--was off the bike. I'd start with a reputable physical therapist. After a detailed assessment, he/she will probably give you some detailed exercises designed to balance the strength of your left and right sides, as well as your inner and outer legs. Short of some other biomechical problem, like a leg length discrepency, I'd try to work on developing a smooth and even spin. The best way to do that, arguably, is with a good set of rollers.

[silversurfer]

Muirenn, I'm just very right sided. It isn't related to the length of my legs. I'm just as bad with my hands and arms. Must be a brain thing. I've just had the initial assessment with the osteopath and will be starting a programme of treatment and exercises from next week. But because I want to keep riding - cycling is my main mode of transport, exercise and leisure - I'd like to make sure that I'm using my muscles in a more balanced way when I'm on the bike. I like the idea of rollers but I'm not sure I'd be able to use them without hurting myself in the process. But paying attention to my spin is an interesting thought. I'm paying more attention to which muscles I'm using at the moment. Thanks for that indysteel.

[OakLeaf]

One-legged drills?

[SadieKate]

I need to learn how to work my muscles more evenly and I'm paying more attention to this when I ride now. Has anybody else on TE experienced this and do you have any techniques you can share? Hope this makes sense.

Good lord, you sound like my mirror image and exactly why I'm paying the big bucks to a new coach. This is the program she had me on while my focus was on reducing the pain running downhill. Now that my big event is over and I'm back to cycling it will change but, boy howdy, did I see the results immediately - in both the downhill, but in speed on the flats. Weak right leg, weak everything involved in lateral stability (adductors, abductors, obliques, etc.), weak glutes, etc., etc. - but great quads. She has me working with much lower weights that I have for a long time because her exercises are very, very effective if done right where you are constantly fighting for stability. Not only did my running improve by leaps and bounds, but I noticed this week that I could ride up a steep, loose and rocky trail better than I ever have. Once I started to work with her, it was a shock to discover how strong some muscles were to compensate for the weak ones. You'll notice there is very little that has you doing the same thing at the same time with both arms or legs.

This is my regimen, but there are so many nuances for form you really need coaching by someone who is an absolutely stickler for form. Metatarsals perpendicular to the leg, no hip twisting, no planks with the butt out, only neutral spine, shoulders back, breath on the exertion, etc. Any downward motion must be at the same speed and control as the upward (don't let gravity control anything). Do extra sets on weak side. I've tried to add details. Video would be mo' bettah but you ain't going to get it.

• Single leg sink squat - soft ball pinned between knee and cabinet door (hold on to sink so your hips are way behind you but chest touches counter edge), hinge at hip / 2x15 each side full range / 1/2 squat 1x10 - slow controlled 1/2 range in same time as full
  
• Prone plank alt arm lifts - feet only wide as necessary, no hip twist, tuck chin, (reach right hand to front, then left front, then right to the side, then left to the side) 5x's through
  
• Single leg bridge on big (swiss) ball - arm over head, keep ball still, go all the way down 10x3 each side extra set on rt
  
• Side plank w/ big ball between legs roll foot back and forward and back 5x / each side
  
• 1 arm row on bench in bird dog postion, opposite leg out straight/ lift toe of lower leg, up stop smooth down 15 lbs 2x15 each
  
• Prone plank on knees, leg lift with glutes w/weight behind knee 8lbs 2x10 each side
  
• Back flys on BB, spine level, glutes squeeze and hips up, head neutral, arms out in T position, thumbs up, squeeze shoulder blades, don't lift shoulders or back / 3lbs 15 reps/ no weights 15 reps
  
• Chest flys on back on big ball open wide, squeeze shoulder blades at bottom and hold, 5lbs 15x’s (keep it slow both directions)
  
• Dead bug on bench, SLOW 10 each side 5lb each hand (lie on back, tighten abs, lower opposite hand and leg and reverse)
  
• Shoulder stretch hands on top of ball, press shoulders down
  
• Side slide plié 10x’s each side - push down hard with sliding foot
  
• Standing bicep curl in split squat (feet forward/rear) 8lbs 15 each side - weight on back foot and feet aligned
  
• Small ball squeeze, on back, ball between bent knees, hips lifted 2 inches, feet aligned, toes up 15 reps
  
• Oblique crunch w/small ball, knees over belly, squeeze hip bone to rib alt 15 each side (don't let shoulders lift - this is not a crunch)
  
• Tricep dips 12 - shoulders pulled back, and head up, hands directly under shoulders
  
• Bird dog balance, lift toe to balance on only knee and one hand, thumb of extended arm aimed to ceiling, arm and leg locked into full extension, tighten glute - 10count x3 each side
  
• Calf raise on stairs 2x10 slow full range - go down slowly, go down farther, now farther, hold and up all the way, slowly
  
• Standing glute squeeze, outside edge of feet parallel 15

During our indoor cycling class, we do one-legged drills and she also has me unclipping with my right foot when riding because while my left leg is stronger it's also dumber. I can unclip on both sides no problem, but I have a terrible time starting with my left foot clipped in. So, it's not just strength imbalance but neuromuscular training imbalance.

I think the next things we'll try to add is single-leg free-standing squats hooking the heel forward over a bench and then step-downs (not step ups) as baby steps toward strengthening my right knee. I can do a wall sit forever and squats with bigs weights no problem, but that isn't really what cycling is about. I hope the above helps in some slight way.

[silversurfer]

Wow SadieKate, thanks a lot!! Really helpful.

[bluebug32]

I just read an article on this. One thing they recommended was trying to use your non-dominant side for every day activities (brushing your teeth, carrying a bag, etc). This helps your brain learn new patterns to engage this side more equally.

[redrhodie]

I had knee pain recently, and it turned out my insoles were worn out. Just thought I'd throw that out there, in case you hadn't checked yours.

[Catrin]

I just started working with a new trainer in a group training environment. I've multiple muscle imbalances myself and need to work on this very thing. My goal is to get more "durable" - less prone to injury because of the assorted imbalances - by taking care of the imbalances as far as possible. These imbalances didn't cause my older overuse injuries, but they certainly make it easier to "tweak" them. I can't give any constructive advice right now as I am just starting this process, but I can give you moral support.

You can do it, and so can I We can cheer each other on to our respective goals!

[silversurfer]

Thanks everyone. I'm feeling a lot more positive about this and I'm now confident that the problem will be resolved. I went throught a short phase of minor panic about having to scale down my cycling or worse. The brain imploded just a bit as I've never had to deal with any major injuries despite having done one sport or another for much of my life. I'm also hardly ever ill. I guess this reminded me that I'm not getting any younger and I'm not as resilient as I used to be.