[at-l] Hiking Poles

[athiker@plantnet.com (Peter H. Fornof)]

I know that hiking/trekking poles have been trashed on the list for =
quite sometime because of their alleged trail damage and irritating =
noise.=20

I continue to use them as they give me stability and ease the wear and =
tear on my joints. I recently bought some rubber tips and will try those =
on my next trip.=20

I just saw this article on http://www.backpacker.com and thought it =
would be of interest to the list. If the article below is stripped =
because it's html, simply go to the above site and the article is =
highlighted on the front page. Thanks.

Pole Science=20

Now here's scientific proof that trekking poles are a hiker's best =
friend.=20

By Therese Iknoian, December 2001=20


Hikers have long known that trekking poles help when crossing streams =
and on thigh-burning downhills. Now there's scientific proof to go along =
with our "field research." Scientists at the Universities of =
Massachusetts and Wisconsin and at Steadman-Hawkins Sports Medicine =
Foundation in Colorado found that poles provide the following benefits:=20


  a.. Fewer injuries. Poles reduce the risk of injury and tendonitis in =
knees, calves, thighs, and even hips, according to Michael Torry, Ph.D., =
director of biomechanics research at Steadman-Hawkins. Trekking poles =
also allow hikers to keep a more normal stride and a faster pace with =
less effort.=20
  b.. Less pounding. Up to 4.4 percent of the force that reverberates =
through your body with each step is absorbed by the poles. After a long =
day and thousands of steps, that support adds up.=20
  c.. Relief for ailing knees and joints. Dr. Torry says that angling =
the tips of your poles forward slightly can reduce the compression in =
your joints as you hike downhill. When hiking uphill, angle the poles =
backward for an extra boost and reduced ankle stress.=20
  d.. Fewer face plants. While researchers didn't test stability, they =
agree with what many backpackers already know: Four legs are better than =
two on uneven terrain.=20
  e.. Less fatigue. According to Christopher Knight, Ph.D., who led the =
study at the University of Massachusetts, properly used poles (see =
"Proper Pole Use" below) reduce the workload for lower-body muscles and =
joints by transferring some of the load from your legs to your arms. =
Subjects in Dr. Knight's study (who hiked with loaded packs for an hour =
on a treadmill) said the trek felt easier with poles.

PROPER POLE USE
When walking on flat terrain, hold your poles so your arms are bent at =
about 90 degrees (see photo). Take time to readjust pole length when =
going up (shorten) or downhill (lengthen) so you can maintain a =
comfortable grip and upright posture. Researcher Dr. Knight recommends =
using wrist straps and a light grip on the handles.=20

Peter H. Fornof
Edwardsville, IL


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