Abstract
The aim of the study was to evaluate the state of the musculoskeletal system of selected cyclists and to propose appropriate compensatory exercises, the effects of which were verified in practice. Twenty-eight MTB cyclists (men) participated in the study. They were divided into experimental (EXP) and control (CONT) groups. The Janda test, including the scaling method, was used to diagnose the condition of the cyclists' musculoskeletal system. The cyclists were tested twice after six weeks, when the experimental group was doing compensatory exercises twice a week. The results of the first and second tests were compared. The results showed a reduction in muscle mass in the arcuate neck flexion and trunk flexion tests. The results of the shortened muscle group tests showed shortening of the neck muscles and the upper part of the trapezius muscle in all the cyclists. The paravertebral back muscles and the pectoralis major muscle were shortened in 93% of the cyclists. 86% of the cyclists had shortened knee flexors and hip flexors. In the EXP, there was a significant improvement in the strength of the weakened muscle groups
(p<0.001) and a significant increase in the extent of the shortened muscle groups (p=0.001) after the intervention. No significant changes were found in the CONT. After the intervention programme, movement stereotypes improved significantly in the EXP group compared to the CONT group. Cyclists should regularly incorporate compensatory exercises into their current training in order to prevent overuse injuries, correct posture and eliminate back pain.