No Subject

I hope these were frozen pike.

Seriously, if you use poles (double) even one time while backpacking you =
will be sold. If you are snowshoeing, they are, IMHO, mandatory.

There are a few of these ridiculous studies going around. I say they are =
ridiculous because they try to prove with hard data what is easily =
discoverable with basic physics and plain old experience.

Concerning the energy savings, there is none. In fact, there is a slight =
energy deficit because poles have weight, and we all know that it =
requires energy to move mass.

What poles do (duh) is bring our arms into the equation, both from the =
propulsion standpoint and, as you note, from the stability standpoint. =
This reduces the stress on the muscles and joints of the legs and hips, =
especially at times of peak stress when making large, awkward steps up =
or down. Of course, that stress is transferred to the arms where the =
triceps and latissimus muscles contribute to the effort. So energy is =
not "saved" but rather expended by other muscles.

And there is the safety factor you also mentioned.

These studies only reinforce what we already know.

What would be far more useful is a study of the effect of pole length =
and style of usage (double pole plants vs. alternating single) on =
efficiency. I have tried different ways of using them and I would bet a =
chocolate rabbit that long poles/double planted is the most efficient =
scheme.

-- Bob M
  ----- Original Message -----=20
  From: John Mertes=20
  To: Campinglist ; P C T List=20
  Sent: Saturday, December 23, 2000 8:48 PM
  Subject: trekking poles study


  His study
  tested 20 backpackers, each wearing a pike of 30% of body weight, on a
  treadmill set at a 5% incline.

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