The trekking poles are designed for better stability during mountaineering activities, and to disperse the impact force acting on the legs to the arms. According to foreign research reports, when going downhill, the force on the knee is 22% more when not using trekking poles than when trekking poles are used, and the thigh muscles consume 21% more energy. It is worth mentioning that it can also be used as a tarpaulin to build a canopy pole when no branches or other supports are found. So can trekking poles really make your steps easier in mountaineering activities? In fact, it is not completely correct. The correct method must be used to use trekking poles to enjoy the benefits of trekking poles.
- Adjust the length of trekking poles. Generally, there are two sections of three-section trekking poles that can be adjusted. First, unscrew all trekking poles. Extend the pole near the bottom end to the maximum length. There are scales on the trekking poles for reference. Adjust the length of the trekking poles while standing on a flat surface with your trekking poles in your hands. Use your elbows as your fulcrum to adjust the length of your trekking poles. Then raise your forearms to 90 degrees with your upper arm. Then adjust the tip of the trekking poles down to touch the ground, or put the trekking poles down. Place the head 5-8 cm under the armpit, then adjust the tip of the stick downwards until it touches the ground, and lock all the poles of the trekking pole. The other unadjusted trekking pole can be adjusted to the same length compared to the trekking pole with the locked length. When adjusting trekking poles, you should not exceed the maximum adjustment length shown on the trekking poles. When purchasing trekking poles, you can adjust the length first to determine whether you can buy trekking poles of suitable length.
- The use of wrist straps. When most people use trekking poles, they firmly grasp the handle of the trekking pole to exert force, thinking that the purpose of the wrist strap is to keep the trekking pole from leaving their wrist. If you think so, then you are wrong. The importance of the belt is no less than the strength of the trekking pole itself. When we use trekking poles downhill, the impact of the trekking poles should be transmitted to our arms through the wrist strap. When going uphill, the thrust of the arm is transmitted by the wristband to the trekking pole to generate uphill assistance, so when our wrist passes through the wristband, we should not reach directly from the top of the wristband to grasp the handle, but should use the wristband Pick it up, thread it under the wrist strap, press the strap into our palm, and then gently grasp the handle, support the trekking pole through the wrist strap, instead of holding the handle tightly. force. If there is a buckle, make some adjustments, remember not to affect the operation of trekking poles.
Flat ground and gentle uphill. Follow the same rhythm as usual walking. Use the right arm forward with the left foot and bring the trekking pole forward at the same time, but the tip of the stick should not exceed the front of the body, and then push back against the ground. The left hand interacts with the right hand to do the same movement. .
- The correct use of trekking poles
The steep slope is relatively sloping. The action is the same as normal walking, but the arm should be forward and the trekking poles should be placed in front of the body, and the trekking poles should be used to support the body to reduce the pressure on the legs. If necessary, two trekking poles can be used for climbing at the same time. When pushing the body up, the palm can be placed on the top of the trekking pole to strengthen the pushing force.
downhill. Because the impact force of the downhill is relatively large, trekking poles must be used to reduce the load on the legs at this time. Therefore, the position of the trekking poles must be placed in front of the body, and must be on the ground before the forefoot in order to achieve the effect of sharing the strength. Therefore, the body will definitely lean forward. This movement is not our natural movement downhill, so we need to practice frequently, and at the same time, we must feel how far the trekking poles should be placed in order to achieve the effect of reducing the pressure on the legs, and it will not drag. Slow down the original speed and rhythm of travel. When necessary, you can increase the length of trekking poles, and adjust it completely according to personal feelings.
Precautions
The use of trekking poles is to reduce the pressure on the legs and increase the overall endurance of the body. Therefore, the above methods of use may not be completely suitable for everyone. As long as you feel that other methods can achieve the same effect, and will not affect the body It doesn’t hurt to make a change if it causes any harm.
