1. 1 Utilization of trekking-sticks in mountaineering – an inquiry in the Watzmann-region Christin Miecke (born Verseck) and Hans-Volkhart Ulmer Institute of sports science, Johannes Gutenberg-Universität, Mainz, Germany ___________________________________________________________________ MIECKE & ULMER: Trekking sticks in mountaineering, 4th Symposium: Altitude & praxis, 2009 4th international Symposium: “High altitude influence on human performance: science and praxis” – Bohinjska Bela (Slovenia) Sept. 8-13, 2009

2. 2 ____________________________________________________________________ MIECKE & ULMER: Trekking sticks in mountaineering, 4th Symposium: Altitude & praxis, 2009 INTRODUCTION Since many centuries men often have used one stick for walking, e.g. traveling journeymen and mountaineers, too. Introduction, aim, methods, results, discussion, final conclusions

3. 3 ____________________________________________________________________ MIECKE & ULMER: Trekking sticks in mountaineering, 4th Symposium: Altitude & praxis, 2009 Introduction, aim, methods, results, discussion, final conclusions „Errichtung des Führerkreuzes auf der Mittelspitze des Watzmann“ am 18. Juni 1893 Aus: Illustrierte Zeitung, Nr. 2611, 15. Juli 1893, S. 73

4. 4 ____________________________________________________________________ MIECKE & ULMER: Trekking sticks in mountaineering, 4th Symposium: Altitude & praxis, 2009 Reinhold MESSNER was one of the first introducing two sticks, since 1975 G. NEUREUTHER wrote in 1981 in the Münchner medizinische Wochenschrift (513-514) about: „Der Skistock im Sommer“ Introduction, aim, methods, results, discussion, final conclusions

5. 5 ____________________________________________________________________ MIECKE & ULMER: Trekking sticks in mountaineering, 4th Symposium: Altitude & praxis, 2009 Today: No ski-sticks, but also: No walking sticks for mountaineering Trekking sticks are recommended, as telescope sticks. Difference? Handgrip and strap! Introduction, aim, methods, results, discussion, final conclusions

6. 6 With thanks for Copyright to Leki Lenhart GmbH, D-73230 Kirchheim _____________________________________________________________ MIECKE & ULMER: Trekking sticks in mountaineering, 4th Symposium: Altitude & praxis, 2009 Introduction, aim, methods, results, discussion, final conclusions Compare handgrip and strap Nordic-walking-stick (LEKI LENHART, 2008) Trekking-stick (LEKI LENHART, 2008)

7. 7 ____________________________________________________________________ MIECKE & ULMER: Trekking sticks in mountaineering, 4th Symposium: Altitude & praxis, 2009 Today as typical equipment for mountaineers: Two special trekking-sticks Obviously with – advantages (e.g. for the joints) and – disadvantages (e.g. accidents) Introduction, aim, methods, results, discussion, final conclusions

8. 8 ____________________________________________________________________ MIECKE & ULMER: Trekking sticks in mountaineering, 4th Symposium: Altitude & praxis, 2009 Actually discussed advantages – biomechanical discharge of joints, – support of leg muscels for lifting body weight Both typical arguments – but also better balance, better coordination? or only ritual or fashion? Introduction, aim, methods, results, discussion, final conclusions

9. 9 ____________________________________________________________________ MIECKE & ULMER: Trekking sticks in mountaineering, 4th Symposium: Altitude & praxis, 2009 Recommendation for climbers in mountains: – lift body weight by legs and not by arms – raeson: prevention of prematutre exhaustion – use arms for equilibrium Introduction, aim, methods, results, discussion, final conclusions

10. 10 ____________________________________________________________________ MIECKE & ULMER: Trekking sticks in mountaineering, 4th Symposium: Altitude & praxis, 2009 AIM Therefore we are interested on – the history about using two sticks – the frequency of today use of these sticks and – the reasons why mountaineers use these sticks or not Introduction, aim, methods, results, discussion, final conclusions

11. 11 ____________________________________________________________________ MIECKE & ULMER: Trekking sticks in mountaineering, 4th Symposium: Altitude & praxis, 2009 METHODS 112 subjects were asked, 6 refused, 106 (95% of 112) were interviewed with a special manual: – 60 mountaineers in the Watzmann-house (1930 m) and – 46 mountain walkers in the valley (Wimbachschloss, 937 m) with acceptable accordance in age, sex distribution and experience Introduction, aim, methods, results, discussion, final conclusions

12. 12 ____________________________________________________________________ MIECKE & ULMER: Trekking sticks in mountaineering, 4th Symposium: Altitude & praxis, 2009 RESULTS, part 1 (given answers): Use of two sticks: Altogether 77 subjects (73 %) used two sticks a distinct increase since 2002 for walking up- and downhill, rarely in the plane 58 participants (≈ 75 % of 77) used telescope- sticks Introduction, aim, methods, results, discussion, final conclusions

13. 13 ____________________________________________________________________ MIECKE & ULMER: Trekking sticks in mountaineering, 4th Symposium: Altitude & praxis, 2009 Watzmannhaus (60 subjects ) 42 of 60 (70 %) Mountaineers used 2 sticks 86 % always with trekking sticks in the mountains, 81 % used telescope-sticks Wimbachschloss (46 subjects) 35 of 46 (76 %) Mountain walkers used 2 sticks 74 % always with trekking sticks in the mountains, 69 % used telescope-sticks Introduction, aim, methods, results, discussion, final conclusions

14. 14 ____________________________________________________________________ MIECKE & ULMER: Trekking sticks in mountaineering, 4th Symposium: Altitude & praxis, 2009 Introduction, aim, methods, results, discussion, final conclusions Use of two sticks, “YES” Watzmannhaus (42 mountaineers) Uphill: 41≈98 % xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx x In the plane: 17≈40 % xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xx Downhill: 41 ≈ 98 % xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx x Wimbachschloss (35 mountain walkers) Uphill: 35 ≈ 100 % xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx In the plane: 10 ≈ 29 % xxxxx xxxxx Downhill: 34 ≈ 97 % xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxx

15. 15 ____________________________________________________________________ MIECKE & ULMER: Trekking sticks in mountaineering, 4th Symposium: Altitude & praxis, 2009 Introduction, aim, methods, results, discussion, final conclusions RESULTS, part 2, free answers Main reasons for using sticks or not (Question: Why do you/don’t you use sticks?) to use sticks: facilitation (walking uphill) and discharge of the knee-joints (walking downhill) not to use sticks: ”sticks are hindering” In detail (chart no. 15):

16. 16 ____________________________________________________________________ MIECKE & ULMER: Trekking sticks in mountaineering, 4th Symposium: Altitude & praxis, 2009 Reasons to use sticks (all 76 subjects) Uphill (84 answers): Facilitation & support: 42 ||||| ||||| ||||| ||||| ||||| ||||| ||||| ||||| || Discharge: 19 ||||| ||||| ||||| |||| Stability & safety: 9 ||||| |||| Other: 14 ||||| ||||| |||| Downhill: (81 answers) Discharge: 46||||| ||||| ||||| ||||| ||||| ||||| ||||| ||||| ||||| | Stability & safety: 18||||| ||||| ||||| ||| Other: 17 ||||| ||||| ||||| || Introduction, aim, methods, results, discussion, final conclusions

17. 17 ____________________________________________________________________ MIECKE & ULMER: Trekking sticks in mountaineering, 4th Symposium: Altitude & praxis, 2009 Introduction, aim, methods, results, discussion, final conclusions 29 Subjects not using sticks (27 % of all interviewed) mean age: 42 y 26 (90 %) always without trekking sticks in the mountains, 90 % never used two sticks in the past State of experience (similar to the other groups): 62 % 10 years or more mountaineering, 66 % thrice or more in the last year

18. 18 ____________________________________________________________________ MIECKE & ULMER: Trekking sticks in mountaineering, 4th Symposium: Altitude & praxis, 2009 Introduction, aim, methods, results, discussion, final conclusions Reasons of 29 Subjects not using sticks Sticks hinder: 9 XXXXX XXXX No interest: 6XXXXX X Not necessary: 6 XXXXX X Had problems: 4 XXXX Other: 4XXXX

19. 19 ____________________________________________________________________ MIECKE & ULMER: Trekking sticks in mountaineering, 4th Symposium: Altitude & praxis, 2009 2 of 6 given answers: 1)Using sticks – stabilize it the balance? 82 „yes“ of 106 answers (77 %) (users of sticks: 88 %, other: 48 %) 2) Accidents by using sticks? 78 „yes“ of 106 answers (74 %) (users of sticks: 73 %, other 76 %) Introduction, aim, methods, results, discussion, final conclusions

20. 20 ____________________________________________________________________ MIECKE & ULMER: Trekking sticks in mountaineering, 4th Symposium: Altitude & praxis, 2009 DISCUSSION A sample of 106 subjects with good state of experience Conclusion: sufficient validity of the results Introduction, aim, methods, results, discussion, final conclusions

21. 21 ____________________________________________________________________ MIECKE & ULMER: Trekking sticks in mountaineering, 4th Symposium: Altitude & praxis, 2009 1. History about using two sticks Only since 1975 walking with two sticks was propagated Two sticks as ski-sticks and later trekking-sticks, more and more specialized for mountaineering In our group: with increasing success since 2002 and today mostly telescope sticks Introduction, aim, methods, results, discussion, final conclusions

22. 22 ____________________________________________________________________ MIECKE & ULMER: Trekking sticks in mountaineering, 4th Symposium: Altitude & praxis, 2009 2. Frequency of today use of trekking sticks A great percentage of subjects used trekking sticks with a clear preference for walking up- and downhill and rarely in the plane Introduction, aim, methods, results, discussion, final conclusions

23. 23 ____________________________________________________________________ MIECKE & ULMER: Trekking sticks in mountaineering, 4th Symposium: Altitude & praxis, 2009 3. Reasons why the mountaineers & mountain walkers used these sticks or not Both groups are of “true” behaviour: Those, who used sticks, used sticks nearly always and those, who did not use stick, did the same Obviously most of the “non-users” did never test to walk with trekking sticks Introduction, aim, methods, results, discussion, final conclusions

24. 24 ____________________________________________________________________ MIECKE & ULMER: Trekking sticks in mountaineering, 4th Symposium: Altitude & praxis, 2009 Further reasons why mountaineers & mountain walkers used these sticks Free answers: 1st rank: discharge of joints and facilitation/support With a distinct distance in the next rank: Stability & safety These answers reflect the typical propagated arguments Introduction, aim, methods, results, discussion, final conclusions

25. 25 ____________________________________________________________________ MIECKE & ULMER: Trekking sticks in mountaineering, 4th Symposium: Altitude & praxis, 2009 But, what did the subjects understand under the term support (“Entlastung”). 23 of 42 answers refer not to support of joints, but on “general support” This can be interpretated as biomechanical or metabolic support as well But could also include better balance, especially for going downhill Introduction, aim, methods, results, discussion, final conclusions

26. 26 ____________________________________________________________________ MIECKE & ULMER: Trekking sticks in mountaineering, 4th Symposium: Altitude & praxis, 2009 It might be typical in sports, that accidents by using sticks are only mentioned, if they are concrete asked Than 74 % of 106 said “yes” to possible accidents by using sticks, especially those, who used sticks (the risk of accidents than are neglected, however) Introduction, aim, methods, results, discussion, final conclusions

27. 27 ____________________________________________________________________ MIECKE & ULMER: Trekking sticks in mountaineering, 4th Symposium: Altitude & praxis, 2009 4. Reasons why mountaineers did not use these sticks Sticks hinder & had problems were the answers of 13 (45 %) No interest and not necessary 12 (41%) So the risk of accidents seems to be not a relevant reason for the “non-users” Introduction, aim, methods, results, discussion, final conclusions

28. 28 ____________________________________________________________________ MIECKE & ULMER: Trekking sticks in mountaineering, 4th Symposium: Altitude & praxis, 2009 And the balance effect? If asked, 88 % of the users suggested a balance effect of sticks, the “non-users” suggested only to 48 % this effect. So experience underlines the balance effect of sticks, similar as in mountain climbing Introduction, aim, methods, results, discussion, final conclusions

29. 29 ____________________________________________________________________ MIECKE & ULMER: Trekking sticks in mountaineering, 4th Symposium: Altitude & praxis, 2009 Trekking sticks: a ritual or fashion? – The arguments of the users – selective use only up- and downhill make it probable, that there are serious physiological and other raesons to use sticks. Introduction, aim, methods, results, discussion, final conclusions

30. 30 ____________________________________________________________________ MIECKE & ULMER: Trekking sticks in mountaineering, 4th Symposium: Altitude & praxis, 2009 Introduction, aim, methods, results, discussion, final conclusions – biomechanical discharge of joints and support of leg muscels for lifting body weight? – better balance, better coordination? – better psychic stabilization and so better coordination = better moving economy

31. 31 ____________________________________________________________________ MIECKE & ULMER: Trekking sticks in mountaineering, 4th Symposium: Altitude & praxis, 2009 Introduction, aim, methods, results, discussion, final conclusions – Compare the mass of leg and arm muscles: There cannot be a relevant support of leg muscles (in the 2005 symposium as estimation presented): 13 % of body weight The answers of the subjects („discharge“ etc.) seem to reflect the typical arguments in literature and selling flyers

32. 32 ____________________________________________________________________ MIECKE & ULMER: Trekking sticks in mountaineering, 4th Symposium: Altitude & praxis, 2009 FINAL CONCLUSIONS The author favours still an essential balance effect with, similar as in mountain climbing – a better motion economy (metabolic effect) as well as – a psychologically stabilizing effect. In both cases: positiv metabolic effect Introduction, aim, methods, results, discussion, final conclusions

33. 33 ____________________________________________________________________ MIECKE & ULMER: Trekking sticks in mountaineering, 4th Symposium: Altitude & praxis, 2009 Introduction, aim, methods, results, discussion, final conclusions Trekking sticks: perhaps a little bit ritual or fashion, but: Serious physiological and psychological reasons exist to use these sticks

34. 34 ___________________________________________________________ MIECKE & ULMER: Trekking sticks in mountaineering, 4th Symposium: Altitude & praxis, 2009 The end, Additional annex-charts follow

35. 35 ___________________________________________________________ MIECKE & ULMER: Trekking sticks in mountaineering, 4th Symposium: Altitude & praxis, 2009 Introduction, aim, methods, results, discussion, final conclusions, annex Reasons to use sticks (mountaineers) Uphill: 47 answers from 41 subjects Facilitation: 21xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx x Discharge legs: 10xxxxx xxxxx Discharge general: 9xxxxx xxxx Other: 7 xxxxx xx Downhill: 46 answers from 41 subjects Discharge knee: 19xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxx Discharge joints: 7xxxxx xx Discharge general: 6xxxxx x Stability and safety: 6 xxxxx x Other: 8 xxxxx xxx

36. 36 ___________________________________________________________ MIECKE & ULMER: Trekking sticks in mountaineering, 4th Symposium: Altitude & praxis, 2009 Introduction, aim, methods, results, discussion, final conclusions, annex Reasons to use sticks (mountain walkers) Uphill: 37 answers from 35 subjects Facilitation: 11xxxxx xxxxx x Support: 10xxxxx xxxxx Stability & safety: 9xxxxx xxxx Other: 7 xxxxx xx Downhill: 35 answers from 35 subjects Stability & safety: 12xxxxx xxxxx xx Discharge knee: 8xxxxx xxx Discharge joints: 6xxxxx x Other: 9 xxxxx xxxx

37. 37 ___________________________________________________________ MIECKE & ULMER: Trekking sticks in mountaineering, 4th Symposium: Altitude & praxis, 2009 Comparison of both groups: Watzmannhaus: 74 % (m), 26 % (f), mean age 40 y, Wimbachschloß: 57 % (m), 43 % (f), mean age 50 y, State of experience: Watzm.: 67 % 10 years or more mountaineering, 62 % thrice or more in the last year Wimbach.:46 % 10 years ore more mountaineering, 31 % thrice or more in the last year: Introduction, aim, methods, results, discussion, final conclusions, annex