View Trekking poles
Are trekking poles right for you? Love them or hate them, everyone has their own opinion on these simple walking aids that are becoming more frequently seen out in the hills. We have pulled together some information to help you decide if you will benefit from using them.
There has been much scientific research on the use of Trekking poles, ranging from the well quoted Neureuther (1981) along with the more recent work by Knight & Caldwell (2000). The main points to have come out from this research are:
- Stability and balance is significantly improved with the use of both one and two hiking poles. Jacobson and associates (1997)
- Backpacking becomes more comfort with the use of walking poles. Knight CA and Caldwell GE(2000)
- Load is transferred from the legs to the arms and shoulders. Neureuther, Münch, med, Wschr. 123/1981
- Reduction in ground force on a 25% decline. Schwameder et al (1999)
All of this would help to support the UIAA report summary(1994) that the use of poles leads to a considerable spine and joint relief, especially in the following situations:
- Advanced age, excess body-weight
- When there are pre-existent joint and spinal diseases (i.e. arthritis, spondylitis)
- When carrying heavy backpacks (i.e. on expedition)
- When hiking on snow slopes and in the wet
- When crossing rivers and when hiking with limited visibility (fog, at night)
There are also disadvantages and these need to considered:
- The use of poles increase overall energy consumption. Knight CA and Caldwell GE (2000)
- Continuous use of hiking sticks can decrease the hiker’s coordination. (UIAA 1994)
- Poles are not crutches, if you need crutches don’t use poles. (AlpNick 2006)
- Anti shock designs may not provide the same level of support when moving from one balanced position to another (boulder to boulder). Ken Ledward
So that’s the theory, but in short most people find them a benefit especially if you use them properly. How do you I use them properly, well we are not sports scientists, so we haven’t studied the swing balance ratio, and tungsten placement theory but we do recommend a few basic guidelines. On the whole you should use your own judgement and experience to find out what works best.
Footnotes
Muscular and metabolic costs of uphill backpacking: are hiking poles beneficial?
Knight CA, Caldwell GE. Med Sci Sports Exerc, 32, 2093-101, 2000.
Comparison of hiking pole use on lateral stability while balancing with and without a load.
Jacobson BH, Caldwell B, Kulling FA. Percept. Motor Skills 1997; 85: 347-350.
Knee joint forces during downhill walking with hiking poles.
Schwameder H, Roithner R, Müller E, Niessen W, Raschner C. J Sports Sciences 1999; 17(12): 969-978.
Hiking sticks in mountaineering
Official standards of the UIAA Medical Commission Vol 3
Ken Ledward
KLETS
Classic Alpine Errors
AlpNick, Alpkit HQ 2006