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
Not sure, but I would assume its because over time the strain that the backpack is putting on your shoulders gets alleviated when you clutch the straps and take some of the direct pressure off.
Not sure, but I would assume its because over time the strain that the backpack is putting on your shoulders gets alleviated when you clutch the straps and take some of the direct pressure off.
Not sure, but I would assume its because over time the strain that the backpack is putting on your shoulders gets alleviated when you clutch the straps and take some of the direct pressure off.
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
Blood pools in the extremities, hands and feet swell over long hikes. Holding onto your straps helps drain some blood, and makes your arms and hands feel better.
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
Most people out there hike with incorrectly tied backpacks. The pack is supposed to be tightly secured on the hips and only lightly resting on your shoulders. 80% of the weight is meant to be lifted by your legs. People will instead rest a heavy backpack entirely on the shoulders, which causes stress on your torso/spine and hunches your body. Over the course of a long hike your shoulders and back are going to get wrecked.
As to why it is easier to hold the straps up, you are temporarily moving the strain from the muscles in the shoulders and back to your arms. This gives some immediate relief, but isn’t going to last.
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
Blood pools in the extremities, hands and feet swell over long hikes. Holding onto your straps helps drain some blood, and makes your arms and hands feel better.
Blood pools in the extremities, hands and feet swell over long hikes. Holding onto your straps helps drain some blood, and makes your arms and hands feel better.
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