Cyclist Fabio Jakobsen facing an indefinite break from competition due to restricted blood flow in the iliac artery
In the world of professional cycling, one athlete's name has been making headlines recently – Fabio Jakobsen. The Dutch sprinter, in his second season with Picnic PostNL, has been diagnosed with External Iliac Artery Endofibrosis (EIAE), a vascular condition commonly seen in cyclists.
EIAE is characterised by the thickening of the external iliac artery wall due to repetitive mechanical stress from cycling. This condition can lead to symptoms such as cramping and unexplained leg weakness during exertion. In Jakobsen's case, he experienced symptoms like pain, numbness, and swelling in his thigh and calf muscles, less commonly in the buttocks.
Jakobsen's legs didn't function as expected during high-intensity sprint efforts in the season, causing him to struggle for form in his first races of the year. Ineos Grenadiers' Bob Jungels and Pauline Ferrand-Prévot, among others, have also previously suffered from this condition.
The surgery for Jakobsen's condition is expected to keep him off the bike for around six weeks initially, with no other strenuous physical activity allowed. After the surgery, his recovery will be monitored, and he will gradually return to training and build up intensity again.
This condition, also known as Flow Limitation of the Iliac Arteries (FLIA), has become increasingly prevalent among professional cyclists in recent years. A research paper published in 2022 has called for the condition to be classified as an "occupational disease" for professional riders, given its strong link to the repetitive mechanical stresses specific to cycling.
While the exact prevalence of EIAE among professional cyclists is not specified, it is a recognised issue within this population. Notable examples include Sarah Gigante, who made a challenging comeback after surgery. However, no formal proposal or official classification status is mentioned in the available information.
Despite the challenges, Jakobsen remains hopeful that surgery can solve his issue. His fellow cyclists, such as Shirin van Anrooij and Marianne Vos, who have also undergone surgery for this condition, offer a glimmer of hope for a successful recovery and a return to the racing scene.
- Fabio Jakobsen's diagnosis of External Iliac Artery Endofibrosis (EIAE) underscores the importance of mental-health support, as he embarks on a six-week recuperation period from surgery, with a gradual return to fitness-and-exercise and sports planned.
- In the realm of health-and-wellness, the field of science continually reveals crucial knowledge about conditions like EIAE, shedding light on factors impacting the well-being of athletes, the research for which is now advocating for its official classification as an "occupational disease" in professional cycling.
