Rapid Responses to:
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Rapid Responses: Rapid Responses published:
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Sports should be fun and not self-harm
- Anthony Papagiannis (20 July 2002)
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Re: Competitive Sport is by definition nothing to do with fun
- mari louise todd (22 July 2002)
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Another paper on this topic
- David Humphries (19 February 2003)
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Bicyclist's Vulva
- Denise M. Harewood (19 August 2003)
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Anthony Papagiannis, Respiratory Physician 542 49 Thessaloniki, Greece
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The question to be asked regarding the report of 'cyclist's vulva' is whether any kind of leisure activity (and I contend that cycling or any other sport is primarily meant for leisure) should be practised to the point of self-harm. Sadly, we have come to expect male and female athletes, professionals or even 'serious' amateurs, to overstrain their bodies, and to view athletic injuries as 'normal'. From the medical point of view this degree of corporal abuse should be deplored. What would be our response if such injuries were sustained during some forced activity? I suspect there would be a huge public outcry against such phenomena. Is it not time we returned to the concept of sport for fun and not for damage? |
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mari louise todd, health promotion specialist Brevuik House South Rd, Lerwick ZE1 OTG
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Thankyou to the original authors of the report on bicyclist's vulva. Having spent a number of years racing a bike and a period of time riding consierably more than 500km a week it was interesting but not surprising to read what the author's found. However, the respondant stating that sport is about fun rather than about abusing the body has obviously not spent time competing at a high standard. Sport at this level is not about fun, although sometimes it is enjoyable, but it is all about getting the maximum possible performance from your body. This generally involves many hours training, long periods way from home and family, conforming to the system of training or trainer you are working with, days consisting of long hours training followed by recovery periods of enforced rest, and forcing the body to perform with minimum calorific input to keep body weight low to maintain a high strength to weight ratio. Elite sport is about winning, at a high human cost in terms of the mental strain put upon performers not so much in competition, but in the years leading up to it. Yes, the public side of sport is fun i.e. the competitions, but getting to that level is no picnic. |
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David Humphries, private practice sports physician Hobart Australia 7000
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Dear Sir/Madam Your readers may be interested to note there has been another recent publication on this particular problem. Br J Sports Med 2002 Dec;36(6):463 -4. Unilateral vulval hypertrophy in competitive female cyclists. Humphries D. Competing interests: None declared |
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Denise M. Harewood, none full time student
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I was pleased to know by virtual of your article regarding bicyclist vulva that I am not he only one suffering from the swelling of the labia. I am a former California State Champion in Cycling and I have had to abondon the sport due to severe swelling. As of now I can not find any method to reduce the swelling. Surgery is not an option for me because I feel that it may leave an ugly scar. Any information regarding bicyclist vulva and the cure or method of reducing the swelling, please advise me immediately. Sincerely yours, Denise Harewood Competing interests: None declared |
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