Sillines
Páginas: 8 (1857 palabras)
Publicado: 16 de abril de 2012
No-nose Saddles for Preventing Genital Numbness and Sexual Dysfunction from Occupational Bicycling
Summary
Workers who ride a bicycle as part of their job may be at risk for genital numbness or more serious sexual and/or reproductive health problems from pressure in the groin (perineum) from the traditional bicycle saddle. NIOSH has conducted studies that have demonstrated the effectiveness ofno-nose bicycle saddles in reducing pressure in the groin and improving the sexual health of male bicycle patrol police officers. While most workers in jobs that involve bicycling are men, recent evidence suggests that no-nose bicycle saddles may also benefit women. under the pelvic sit bones. However, part of the weight is supported where the groin contacts the saddle nose. Bearing weight on thisregion of the saddle compresses the nerves and arteries in the groin (see Figures 1 and 2). These nerves and arteries run through the groin between the sit bones to the genitals. Pressure on these nerves and arteries over time may lead to a loss of sensation and a decrease in blood supply to the genitals. This can contribute to the sexual and reproductive health effects that have been reported.Figure 1. Nerves and arteries for the genitals (shown in green) compressed under the traditional saddle nose. The blue region represents the contact areas on the sit bones. The yellow region represents the pubic bone. The pelvis is shown in the side view.
Description of Exposure
About 40,000 workers in public safety occupations ride bicycles as part of their job. They include police officers,emergency medical service personnel (EMSs), and security staff who patrol by bicycle. A number of these workers have reported groin/genital numbness and
more severe sexual problems related to prolonged use of a bicycle saddle in their work [NIOSH 2000]. In a study conducted by Schrader et al. [2002], police bicycle patrol officers reported spending an average of about 25 hours per week sitting ona bicycle saddle. Many of them also ride a bicycle for recreation while off duty, and therefore may spend more than 25 hours per week on a bicycle saddle. The traditional bicycle saddle has a narrow nose that protrudes under the groin as the cyclist straddles the bicycle. Ideally, the weight of the cyclist should be supported on the saddle
Figure 2. Example of pressure measured on atraditional saddle with a protruding nose. The white box shows the groin region. The blue color is the lowest pressure, followed by green, yellow, orange, and red (highest pressure). This saddle has a cut-out hole as shown by the thinner dark outline of the saddle.
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health NIOSH Studies
NIOSH studies [2000, Schrader et al. 2002] showed that male bicycle patrol security officers who complained of groin numbness had night erections that lasted less time than those of a similar group of non-bicycling men. Other NIOSH studies [Lowe et al. 2004; Schrader et al. 2008], showed that pressure on a traditional (nosed) bicycle saddle in the area under the bicyclist’s groin istypically 2.90 pounds per square inch during cycling and may reach as high as 5.37 pounds per square inch. (As a point of reference, the pressure on an arm blood pressure cuff needed to restrict blood flow in the arteries is about 120 mm Hg, which is equal to 2.32 pounds per square inch). This level of pressure is affected by the weight and body shape of the cyclist, the shape and cushioning ofthe saddle, and the degree to which the cyclist’s body is tilted forward. Fewer studies of the effects of bicycle saddle use on female cyclists have been conducted. However, recent evidence suggests that women cyclists may also be at risk for a decrease in sensation of their genitals from use of a traditional nosed bicycle saddle [Guess et al. 2006].
Figure 3. Removal of the protruding saddle...
Summary
Workers who ride a bicycle as part of their job may be at risk for genital numbness or more serious sexual and/or reproductive health problems from pressure in the groin (perineum) from the traditional bicycle saddle. NIOSH has conducted studies that have demonstrated the effectiveness ofno-nose bicycle saddles in reducing pressure in the groin and improving the sexual health of male bicycle patrol police officers. While most workers in jobs that involve bicycling are men, recent evidence suggests that no-nose bicycle saddles may also benefit women. under the pelvic sit bones. However, part of the weight is supported where the groin contacts the saddle nose. Bearing weight on thisregion of the saddle compresses the nerves and arteries in the groin (see Figures 1 and 2). These nerves and arteries run through the groin between the sit bones to the genitals. Pressure on these nerves and arteries over time may lead to a loss of sensation and a decrease in blood supply to the genitals. This can contribute to the sexual and reproductive health effects that have been reported.Figure 1. Nerves and arteries for the genitals (shown in green) compressed under the traditional saddle nose. The blue region represents the contact areas on the sit bones. The yellow region represents the pubic bone. The pelvis is shown in the side view.
Description of Exposure
About 40,000 workers in public safety occupations ride bicycles as part of their job. They include police officers,emergency medical service personnel (EMSs), and security staff who patrol by bicycle. A number of these workers have reported groin/genital numbness and
more severe sexual problems related to prolonged use of a bicycle saddle in their work [NIOSH 2000]. In a study conducted by Schrader et al. [2002], police bicycle patrol officers reported spending an average of about 25 hours per week sitting ona bicycle saddle. Many of them also ride a bicycle for recreation while off duty, and therefore may spend more than 25 hours per week on a bicycle saddle. The traditional bicycle saddle has a narrow nose that protrudes under the groin as the cyclist straddles the bicycle. Ideally, the weight of the cyclist should be supported on the saddle
Figure 2. Example of pressure measured on atraditional saddle with a protruding nose. The white box shows the groin region. The blue color is the lowest pressure, followed by green, yellow, orange, and red (highest pressure). This saddle has a cut-out hole as shown by the thinner dark outline of the saddle.
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health NIOSH Studies
NIOSH studies [2000, Schrader et al. 2002] showed that male bicycle patrol security officers who complained of groin numbness had night erections that lasted less time than those of a similar group of non-bicycling men. Other NIOSH studies [Lowe et al. 2004; Schrader et al. 2008], showed that pressure on a traditional (nosed) bicycle saddle in the area under the bicyclist’s groin istypically 2.90 pounds per square inch during cycling and may reach as high as 5.37 pounds per square inch. (As a point of reference, the pressure on an arm blood pressure cuff needed to restrict blood flow in the arteries is about 120 mm Hg, which is equal to 2.32 pounds per square inch). This level of pressure is affected by the weight and body shape of the cyclist, the shape and cushioning ofthe saddle, and the degree to which the cyclist’s body is tilted forward. Fewer studies of the effects of bicycle saddle use on female cyclists have been conducted. However, recent evidence suggests that women cyclists may also be at risk for a decrease in sensation of their genitals from use of a traditional nosed bicycle saddle [Guess et al. 2006].
Figure 3. Removal of the protruding saddle...
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