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Article: Study shows hiking poles gives walkers a leg up
- Article from:
- Charleston Gazette
- Article date:
- December 31, 2000
- Author:
CopyrightCopyright 2000 Charleston Gazette. Provided by ProQuest LLC. (Hide copyright information)
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When Christopher Knight was hiking with a pole in each hand, he
had the feeling that the poles made the treks easier. When the
exercise physiologist got back to the lab, he began to figure out
why. Using poles lets hikers lengthen their strides, put less
strain on their knees, and generally feel more comfortable, his
study found.
The project tested 10 backpack-wearing volunteers who walked a
treadmill in hour-long stints, and "they all favored the poles,"
said Knight, of the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.
The study may underestimate the value of the lightweight
adjustable staffs because lab conditions could only approximate the
rough and rocky conditions of a trail, said Knight and ...