Shaking your legs when racing

[Naas V]

Through the years I've seen this often and now again in the TdF - some riders shaking their legs sideways, mostly towards the end of a long hard ride.

 

Is it done to get rid of the  buildup of lactic acid? Does it really works/help and is there scientific proof?

 

[SL7]

I often do it after I win the local PPA rides. Don't you?

[ASTANA]

hey naas.

 

We do this with rock climbing to get rid of some of the lactic and just to shake the muscles a bit. It does help to relive a bit of the tension and the tight feeling, but at this stage you are well on your way to "hit the wall".

 

So yeah it does help, but if your continuing the previous effort it will only return again.

 

So if your over the top of a climb and shake them out it will help again to feel "fresher" on the flats. But it might only be a mental thing - not a proven fact.

 

Works for me - do it from time to time

 

[Delgado]

I used to do it a lot back in the days when I was still drinking!!

[Rocket-Boy]

I often have to shake my legs but thats because they are losing circulation!

Im sure thats not the case for the guys on the tour who have properly tailored setups.

 

[Bike Mob]

I've seen guys do it at the base of a long decent to warm up the legs again a bit...