Professional Cyclist Benefits From Local Healthcare

Nathan O'Neill, a seven time Australian National Champion, spends his off-seasons tuning up his body and recovering from injuries at a Georgia clinic. ELITE Sports Medicine & Physical Therapy, located near Dacula, GA is the site of Nathan's training. Dr. Steve Hatfield, DPT, ATC developed a program focused on flexibility, strength, biomechanics and optimal positioning on the bicycle. O'Neill, who has been plagued with tendonitis the last 2 seasons, turned to Dr. Hatfield for a new approach. A comprehensive evaluation and video analysis of O'Neill's cycling position yielded areas for improvement. "The results have been amazing. We have been able to identify problems that have previously gone unaddressed," O'Neill said.

The program incorporates all lower extremity muscles active in cycling as well as abdominal and trunk musculature. In addition, all the angles of the joints were measured to provide an optimal position for maximum power and speed. "This comprehensive approach is necessary because injuries, like tendonitis, are frequently caused by another problem such as a structural imbalance or lack of flexibility," Dr. Hatfield explained.

O'Neill recently clinched his seventh Australian national time trial championship in January. His season will continue with his Health-Net / Maxxis cycling team in the Tour de California and will return in April for the Tour de Georgia.

Additional information about Nathan O'Neill can be found at www.NathanOneill.com