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The Effects Of Continuous Hiking Pole Use On Acute Static And Dynamic Balance Of Men And Women Hikers

2009; Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; Volume: 41; Issue: 5 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1249/01.mss.0000356104.14598.1b

1530-0315

Julianne Abendroth, Victoria Swigart, G. L. R. Dixon, Michael Bohne,

Injury Epidemiology and Prevention

PURPOSE: Many hikers use trekking poles, which allow for an increase in overall stability and a reduction in joint forces. However, the International Mountaineering and Climbing Federation (UIAA) suggest continuous pole use has an adverse effect on acute balance. They suggest if a hiker must put the poles away, their balance may be worse than if they had not used poles at all. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of continuous hiking pole use on acute static and dynamic balance of hikers. METHODS: Eighteen hikers were recruited (9 male, 9 female; ages 21-62). University IRB approval was obtained and informed consents were signed. A foam pad was used for static balance, while the dynamic balancing task used a simulated 3.3m log. Knee angles, stride length and time, arm elevation, and m/l and vertical trunk motion were analyzed. EMG recorded the erector spinae (ES), bicep femoris (BF), vastus lateralis (VL), tibialis anterior (TA), and the gastrocnemius (GA). The hikers participated in all conditions, by first performing baseline static and dynamic balance tasks. They then walked for 15 minutes with or without trekking poles (counter-balanced) to achieve a steady state pace, before repeating the balancing tasks. The poles were set down, if in use, and the task performed as though they had come to a log on a hike. Five trials of each task were completed, while continuing to walk with or without poles between each trial. Repeated measures ANOVAs were used (a = 0.05). RESULTS: Results showed fewer errors on average in the pole condition for the static balance task, though not statistically significant. No significant differences were noted for knee flexion, stride length or time, arm elevation or trunk sway. Statistically significant overall muscle activity was elicited for BF, VL, and the GA. Pairwise comparisons showed only statistical significance between baseline and the pole conditions. CONCLUSIONS: The primary implication of this study was for hiker safety. UIAA suggested that trekking pole use could lead to injury while hiking. Since no statistical significance was found that trekking pole use has a negative effect on subsequent balance tasks, it is suggested that hikers should continue to use trekking poles while hiking to increase stability and lessen the forces placed on the lower extremity.