Can cycling cause Plantar Fasciitis?

Plantar Fasciitis is caused by an overload of the Plantar Fascia and this occurs most often with impact and weight-bearing activities such as walking and running. With that in mind, the likelihood of cycling causing Plantar Fasciitis is low but not impossible. Depending on your position on the bike, such as too low of a saddle height or poorly positioned pedals, excess force may go through the foot and overload the Plantar Fascia. This is more common in spinning classes as people are less familiar with the correct bike setup as opposed to road cycling where one might have had a bike fit.

Is it okay to cycle with Plantar Fasciitis?

As cycling is a low-impact activity, it is okay to cycle with Plantar Fasciitis. We would recommend using a stationary bike and doing a steady session keeping the resistance low and cadence high to reduce the amount of force going through the foot. When cycling outside consider a flat route with cleats on. Avoid getting out of the saddle and keep your cadence high.

Plantar Fasciitis so bad I can’t walk?

In extremely irritable cases of Plantar Fasciitis, it may be too painful to walk. In that instance we would recommend the following:

Ice your Plantar Fasciitis for 10-15 minutes
Stretch your calf and hamstring for 45 seconds 2-3 times daily
Wear cushioned trainers when walking
Take an anti-inflammatory medication such as Ibuprofen
See a Physical Therapist for pain relief treatment such as massage

Is it okay to walk with Plantar Fasciitis?

Spikes in walking distance or speed have the potential to cause Plantar Fasciitis but it doesn’t mean you need to stop walking altogether. We recommend frequent short walks of up to 15-20 minutes on a flat surface with supportive footwear. If you stop walking altogether it can dramatically reduce the capacity of the fascia to tolerate impact and this can make it very difficult to return to your previous activity levels once your symptoms have resolved.

Does golf aggravate Plantar Fasciitis?

Golf as an activity including driving, using irons, and putting does not aggravate Plantar Fasciitis. It is more likely that the overall time on your feet and high step count associated with golf aggravates Plantar Fasciitis.

How can I play golf with Plantar Fasciitis?

To play golf with Plantar Fasciitis we recommend using a buggy where possible to reduce the time on your feet as this is a key aggravator of Plantar Fasciitis. If this is not possible, using a trolley rather than carrying your golf bag is preferable as the additional weight of a golf bag can irritate your Plantar Fasciitis.

Can you play Basketball with Plantar Fasciitis?

Jumping, running, and sprinting are some of the key activities that aggravate Plantar Fasciitis, therefore playing Basketball is likely to make the symptoms of Plantar Fasciitis worse. If you have pain with day-to-day activities we would not recommend playing Basketball. However, if you only have mild Plantar Fasciitis pain with sport then consider Plantar Fasciitis taping before you play alongside wearing cushioned trainers. Plantar Fasciitis insoles can reduce your pain playing basketball.

What cardio exercises can I do with Plantar Fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis is a frustrating condition, especially if you are an active individual. To maintain your cardiovascular fitness with Plantar Fasciitis we would recommend non-impact cardio exercises such as the elliptical machine, cycling, and swimming. When using the elliptical we recommend wearing supportive, stability trainers. While cycling, keep your cadence high, wear cleats where possible, and stay in the saddle throughout. When swimming, try to avoid tumble turning.

What exercises should I avoid with Plantar Fasciitis?

The Plantar Fascia is placed under stress with weight-bearing activities and particularly strained with impact activities. As a result, you should avoid jumping, running, skipping, hopping, and plyometric exercises to reduce the risk of irritating your Plantar Fasciitis.

Can squats cause Plantar Fasciitis?

It is highly unlikely that squats can cause Plantar Fasciitis as it is primarily aggravated by jumping and running.

Low-impact exercises like squats and weightlifting have not been shown in any current literature to be a risk factor for developing Plantar Fasciits.

Is hiking with Plantar Fasciitis okay?

Plantar Fasciitis is aggravated by activities such as excess time on your feet, walking, and running. The uneven surfaces alongside the undulating surfaces and prolonged time on your feet associated with hiking are likely to make your Plantar Fasciitis worse.

If you do go hiking with Plantar Fasciitis consider wearing stable hiking shoes, applying Plantar fasciitis taping, and taking regular breaks to stretch your Plantar Fascia.

Physiotherapy with James McCormack

This is not medical advice. We recommend a consultation with a medical professional such as James McCormack. He offers Online Physiotherapy Appointments for £45.

Plantar Fasciitis and Exercise