Katy Bowman, a biomechanist specializing in movement science, teams up with biologist Jeannette Loram to tackle all things hiking. They discuss essential preparation tips, gear choices, and ways to manage fatigue or pain while on the trails. Discover why downhill hiking can strain your knees and calves, and gain insights into biomechanics that improve your hiking form. Katy also shares a weekly exercise plan to bolster your hiking experience alongside the benefits of pairing hiking with swimming for a well-rounded fitness routine.
Strategically preparing for hiking involves cardiovascular conditioning and strength training to build endurance for both uphill and downhill challenges.
Effective hiking technique incorporates proper gait mechanics and body positions to safely navigate loose terrain and reduce anxiety while descending.
Managing discomfort during hikes requires assessment of pain context, pacing strategies, and strengthening targeted weaknesses for overall performance improvement.
Deep dives
Movement Retreat for Writers
A movement retreat for writers focuses on nurturing the body as a crucial tool for the writing process. The retreat emphasizes addressing common areas of injury such as the hands, elbows, shoulders, and back. Through a combination of writing and physical exercises, participants can explore how movement can enhance creativity and support their craft. This transformative experience is designed for writers to learn to care for their bodies while improving their creative output.
Preparing for Hiking
Understanding how to effectively hike uphill and downhill is essential for both novice and experienced hikers. To prepare for uphill hiking, one should focus on cardiovascular conditioning, incorporating activities like stair climbing and weight-bearing exercises. For downhill hiking, it is important to strengthen the ankles, knees, and hips while practicing proper gait mechanics. By starting with manageable terrain and progressively increasing difficulty, hikers can improve their technique and performance.
Navigating Challenging Terrain
Hikers often encounter loose rocks and dirt, which can create anxiety about falling. Learning to brace the body effectively while descending can reduce fear and exhaustion; practical strategies include using different body positions, such as sliding down or crab walking. Practicing various movements can provide hikers with more options for descending safely and comfortably over challenging surfaces. Being mentally prepared for these situations can also help alleviate anxiety when facing unpredictable terrain.
Addressing Fatigue and Injury
When fatigue or discomfort arises during a hike, it is essential to assess the situation and adapt accordingly. Hikers should consider the context of their discomfort, such as whether it is a niggling pain or a more severe injury, and decide whether to continue or turn back. Implementing strategies like pacing, adjusting weight distribution, and self-care techniques can support hikers in managing discomfort. Strengthening pre-existing weaknesses through targeted training can also enhance overall hiking performance.
Incorporating Strength Training
To support hiking performance and prevent injury, regular strength training that focuses on key muscle groups is crucial. Exercises such as lunges and calf raises can enhance stability and strength in the legs, while stretching routines can improve flexibility and recovery. Understanding the importance of upper body strength, especially for carrying backpacks, helps ensure a balanced approach to training. Creating a weekly routine that addresses these areas can lead to improved endurance and comfort on the trail.
Following on from our Hiking Poles episode, biomechanist Katy Bowman and biologist Jeannette Loram answer all your other questions about hiking. Katy and Jeannette discuss how to prepare for hiking, walking with a backpack, hiking gear and clothing and how to manage fatigue or pain. They flesh out the functional movements involved in hiking, why downhill can be so hard on the knees and calves and how a backpack changes the loads to your body. Katy also provides a weekly plan of exercises to support hiking and explains how swimming and walking are the perfect movement pair.
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