Efficient Walking

imported
#1

Recently read an interesting article in the NYT regarding African women’s efficient walking style when carrying heavy loads on their heads. The jist is they manage to transfer energy more efficiently between their first and second step than the rest of us. Here’s a link to the article: http://www.nytimes.com/2002/03/12/health/12HEAD.html
(be sure to check out the graphic)

The method they use reminds me of the resting step or the cruising method Jardine discusses in his book. Has anyone tried these techniques? Any tips on how to conserve energy while walking?

Mele

#2

Awesome article. Very interesting, but they never explained how to do it. I’m curious as to how the step was developed. Is it a genetic trait in such a small group of women, or is it a learned trait? Perhaps if we go out with packs weighing 20% of our body weight for 20 years, we too can develop the technique.

Grimace

#3

A couple that was hiking with me last year tried to explain this to me. Call me dumb cuz it was so much work trying to remember how to do it that I was exhausted… LOL! Sue/HH

HammockHanger

#4

I read about the resting step in a book somewhere… I don’t remember exactly how it works, but I think you pause with your leg straight so that your bone, not your muscle, is supporting your weight. I think that is different than this “efficient walking” technique: the rest step is designed to give you a break to rest a little every step, but not necessarily to reduce up-and-down motion. They’re different methods…

Grimace, I’m sure this style of walking is a learned skill, just like speaking a language or kicking a soccer ball.

I sure would like to learn how to do it… I’m going to experiment with it the next time I go hiking.

hypatia

#5

Good article.
Mountaineers have used the rest step forever. Usually up hill. Step up, lock knee (momentarily), breathe(rest),step up.etc. etc. At altitude or carrying heavy; one breathe per step. Try exhaling on the step up, inhale at the rest.
Slow and steady.
Chris

Chris

#6

I tried this and it does seem to help, especeally going up steep hills. I counted to my self, one and two and three and four ect. Step on the numbers and relax on the “ands” with one leg relaxed and off the ground. It’s easier to do than to explain. My counting goes back to my ol’two stepping days. Yeeehaaaa!!! :slight_smile:

Buster

#7

You do know that you are going to be hiking with an uncoordinated hiker who can’t figure out the rest step & who is right/left impaired (so be alert when I read the map). I did manage to find my way to NH last year so I guess I’m not too bad. Just make sure you say north - south not left - right. Hammock Hanger

HammockHanger

#8

I’m following you so, if you get lost, we both get lost:) Now you know we’re not going to get lost. With your woodmanship and me being from the area, we’re in good shape. BTW…have you ever gotten lost on the trail? Just curious…I really don’t see how anyone could but, I know it’s happened a few times around here(Roanoke, Va)where they’ve called in the helicopters, search and rescue and all that stuff.

Buster

#9

No, I’ve never managed to lose my way. Sometimes there are so many blazes that you would have to be BLIND to get lost. Then there are those times that the blazes are few and far apart. You start to think did I make a bad turn? did I miss something? I really don’t want to backtack, but… The finally a blaze, a sigh of relief. There are times when the AT is along a dirt road and I have known a few hikers that got in to a “mind zone” and never saw when the trail abrutly went back into the woods. Also I knew a guy who hiked the blue blaze from the shelter back to the trail and then mistakenly turned south. After a hard decent he cam to the road and figured it out. (Which of course meant he now had to go back up what he had just come down!) Sue/HH

HammockHanger