The below article first appeared on the Active.com website in an article by Marc Lindsay | Link to original article click here

It’s not uncommon for athletes to be drawn to cycling from another sport because of the perceived notion that it is a low-impact activity. Because of this, more and more people give up sports like running or tennis in favor of cycling to save their ailing joints.

While there is some validity to the belief that cycling does less damage to the cartilage in the knee because of the low level of impact involved, it doesn’t mean that the sport doesn’t present an opportunity for knee injuries.

Patellofemoral syndrome and patellar tendonitis are two common cycling-related injuries caused by overuse, weak muscles and improper bike fit. Both can make cycling nearly impossible.

Use these four tips to fix knee pain and make your cycling more enjoyable.

The VMO, or vastus medialis oblique, is the teardrop quadriceps muscle that runs along the inside of the thigh down towards the knee. In cycling, the vastus lateralis (quadriceps muscle on the outside of the thigh) often becomes overdeveloped, resulting in a muscular imbalance. The overpowering of the vastus lateralis can make the kneecap track too much towards the outside of the femur during pedaling, which in turn wears away the cartilage and causes pain.

The Fix

Stretch the lateral side of the leg with IT band and quadriceps stretches. Once you have gained flexibility, strengthen the VMO. Step-downs and short arc quadriceps exercises are two favorites.

The patella can also begin to track incorrectly because of overuse. When fatigue sets in, the body compensates however it must to do what’s being asked. Aside from training more than your body is used to, pushing big gears can be a culprit.

The Fix

Increase your cadence to pedal over 80 revolutions per minute (rpm). Spinning in an easier gear puts less stress on knee joint. It will also keep the quads from becoming fatigued, which will help to keep the kneecap tracking correctly.

Be sure to practice pedaling in circles, too. Many cyclists tend to push down and mash the pedals rather than pedaling in smooth circles. By avoiding the mashing technique, you’ll use your hamstrings and gluteus muscles more, which will also take stress off of the often-overworked quadriceps muscles.

Saddle position and cleat adjustment are the two primary areas of concern when treating knee pain from cycling.

The Fix

The most common cause of patellar tendonitis is a seat that is too low. Raising the seat so that your leg is near full extension (about 15 to 30 degrees of knee flexion is ideal) at the bottom of your pedal stroke will relieve pressure on the patellar tendon.

A seat that is too far forward could also be the culprit. The aggressive angle of the knee in relation to the pedal can put undue stress on the knee joint. By sliding your saddle back, you change this angle. Small adjustments can make a world of difference.

Lastly, the position of shoe cleats plays a significant role in the stress placed on the patellar tendon. Much like the fore/aft adjustment of your seat, the cleat’s fore/aft position must be properly aligned.

It’s a general rule that the pedal axle should be directly underneath the ball of the foot (large bone in forefoot on big toe side). If you are experiencing pain, start with the cleat in this position. From here you can move the cleat slightly forward towards the toe, which will help to put the knee angle in a more favorable position.

If inflammation has been caused by overuse, rest is a key requirement. As long as you are irritating your injury through the repetitive motion of cycling, you aren’t likely to get better.

The Fix

When you do start feeling better, increase your mileage slowly. The 10-percent rule is a good one to follow. Also keep in mind that training on hills forces you to put out more power and usually forces cyclists to pedal at lower cadences (depending on the grade). Stay away from long, steep climbs until you’ve built yourself back up to your normal mileage. Once you’re there, increase your miles by no more than 10 percent per week.