In a word Yes!
I have been trekking for over 20 years and I must admit at first I didn't see the appeal of walking with what felt like two large knitting needles, flailing them around like some crazed granny on a marathon knitting mission to clothe the world in stripy scarfs.
But one day it happened!! coming off Scafell Pike with a group of clients and on the descent in the dark with a steady amount of rainfall, I slipped and jolted my right knee. It was that simple and that quick, my knee ballooned and the pain was bad. Would it have happened if I was using poles? maybe, would I have reduced the risk of it happening? definitely.
I have now been using poles for the last 12 years and the difference in performance, wear on my joints and cardio is definitely noticeable. it aids in the ascent and stabilises on the descent and the following research information puts paid to the investment.
What are the benefits of walking poles?
Pole Walking (or Nordic Walking) is a low-impact fitness walking using lightweight poles.
Nordic walking exerts beneficial effects on resting heart rate, blood pressure, exercise capacity, maximal oxygen consumption, and quality of life in patients with various diseases and can be recommended to a wide range of people as primary and secondary prevention.
As the name suggests, Nordic Walking was developed in the Scandinavian countries by cross-country skiers wanting to improve their summer training methods. The poles are used with a push back action like cross-country skiing
Research from Europe and the USA has proven that the health benefits of Nordic Walking are significantly greater than regular walking, jogging, swimming and cycling. Public Health England now recommend Nordic Walking as one of the most effective forms of exercise.
NW pole push movement against the ground was effective for increasing the strength of non-weight-bearing bone.
Hiking is a common recreational activity that provides numerous health benefits, such as reduced risk of heart disease, reduced blood pressure, and improved cardiorespiratory fitness. The use of specifically designed trekking poles has become popular among participants seeking to alleviate sore knees and increase balance and stability while walking. Trekking poles decrease lower extremity loading and forces but increase cardiovascular demand. When carrying a large external load, trekking poles may offer benefit by decreasing lower extremity muscle activity and increasing balance and stability
So in a nutshell its good for you.......really good for you!
How do i use walking poles?
There is a technique to it, don't just rock up and start swinging them around, its not going to work. A fluid motion of forcing the poles behind you when moving forward aids the body in forward momentum, bearing some of the upper body weight with the arms helps to reduce the load bearing on the legs and knees. It sort of makes you feel lighter and also able to inhale a lot easier due to your torso being more upright and not crunched over.
Have a look at this demonstration to get the idea.
What walking poles are good for me?
That's more of a personal preference, there are many different pole designs out there. Go to your local outdoor equipment stores and get a feel for them, ask yourself what is important to you? are compact models best, so you can store them in your pack, are lightweight models of importance, aluminium or carbon compound? Do they feel good in your hands? is the grip good?
Try them in-store, walk with them, get to know how they expand and tighten and make your decision, In my experience they did take a little to get used to, but I'm no longer knitting scarfs and my knees are thanking me for it.
Russ
Lead Guide, Climbaxe mountaineering