ARM PUMP
It may not be an injury known to everyone, but Motocross riders around the world are very familiar with what has become known as “ARM PUMP”.
Arm pump is a compartment syndrome overuse type injury. As the majority of Motocross injuries are traumatic in nature, it would appear that little attention has been paid to this distressing and often very painful condition.
Arm Pump results from the complex hand and wrist co-ordination required to control a high powered motorcycle. When you grip something in your hand there is multiple contraction between the muscle groups on the back (dorsal) and front (volar) of the forearm. To necessitate a stronger grip, the wrist is pulled into extension. This co-contraction results in an increase in compartment pressure ie It is harder for the blood to flow through this region. Also the drainage of the waste products, such as lactate, becomes increasingly inefficient.
Thus to simply grip a handlebar increases pressure. To grip the handlebar of a rapidly accelerating or decelerating motorcycle necessitates stronger grip levels. If you then add the throttle action, which uses the dorsal wrist extensors more than the volar wrist flexors, then add the clutch and brake levers, which use the volar finger flexors, then the complex nature of this injury starts to be come apparent.
Not only does “Arm Pump” occur in Motocross, but it is becoming increasingly common at the higher levels of kite surfing and water and jet skiing where inevitably European and World Championships require greater levels of repeated practice and competition.
The Compex device helps reduce the muscle swelling and compression by using specific stimulation programmes that help to relax the muscles and stimulate the blood supply to almost four to seven times its normal flow. This stimulated blood supply allows a better drainage and supply of oxygen. This is a painless treatment of 20 to 30 minutes directly after exercise or competition. The device also has specific programmes to encourage endorphin production to help relieve pain.
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