When I start a hike, my hands and arms are free and easy. Towards the end I always find them clutching the straps of my backpack. Why?
Edit, for clarity: I always use a waist strap. I’m not talking about using my arms to lift weight off my shoulders. I seem to end up holding my shoulder straps, elbows pointed downwards, almost pulling the backpack downwards onto my shoulders and tighter against my back.
In: 310
It’s not easier. You’re doing more overall work to compensate for your weak trapezius muscles. You don’t need a chest strap, you need bigger traps.
If it were easier you would begin and finish a hike holding your chest straps and soldiers and alpinist and hikers would all hike holding their shoulder straps. They don’t. For the same reason it’s easier to run when your arms can move.
https://academic.oup.com/milmed/article/169/1/45/4283570
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