The Achilles tendon is located on the back of your ankle and connects your calf muscles to your heel bone. According to SportsInjuryClinic.com, Achilles tendonitis is a not an inflammatory condition, as many people believe, but is actually caused by degenerative tissue and a loss of structure in the tendon. It can be long-term or short-term, and when you encounter it, you may find that you have to reduce your activity levels and avoid certain exercises. However, training on a recumbent bike is a good alternative to your normal training while you recover.
Treating Achilles Tendonitis
Acute Achilles tendonitis usually develops very suddenly, over a period of a few days, often after a particularly tough or demanding workout. When you feel the onset of the pain, you should use rest, ice, compression and elevation -- known as the RICE method. Apply an ice pack to your Achilles, and hold it there for 20 minutes. Do this four to eight times per day until the pain subsides. You can use a recumbent bike for your training while you wait for it to heal, as long as you can train pain-free. If your tendonitis is chronic, it will develop over a period of weeks or months. In this instance, it is best to consult your doctor or physiotherapist.
Benefits
When injured, you should try to keep as active as possible, without exacerbating your condition. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends adults perform at least two hours and 30 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity, or one hour, 15 minutes of high-intensity aerobic activity each week. The recumbent bike is a good choice for doing this without putting too much strain on your Achilles. Getting blood flow through your calf muscles can also help to speed up the recovery of the tendon.
Drawbacks
With Achilles tendonitis, you are usually advised to avoid any high-impact activities such as running or jumping, as these can place extra stress on the tendon. In theory, low-impact methods of training, like using the recumbent bike, going swimming or doing yoga, should not make the tendon any worse, however, if you do experience any pain, cease the exercise immediately and consult a medical professional.
Considerations
Make sure that you have the bike set up correctly. In the bottom position of the cycling movement, your knee should be slightly bent. You may also wish to wear training shoes with extra cushioning to help absorb any impact through your heels. Start gradually and train for no more than 30 minutes at a time, at a low to moderate intensity, and only increase this when you feel confident. Include stretches and rehabilitation exercises in your program and continue to work closely with your doctor until the tendinitis is healed.
