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Proper Posture for Hiking

Trey Sned

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Trey Sned serves as the CEO and creative director of Harmen & Company, a men's clothing company, and as the vice president of the real estate group William H. Sned & Company. A physically active individual in his free time, Trey Sned particularly enjoys hiking.

Although many hikers consider the downhill portions of the trail to be the easiest, the gravitational forces involved can place up to three times as much strain on the joints. Avoiding such strain requires the hiker to keep the torso upright and over the legs, instead of leaning either forward or backward.

Throughout the descent, the hiker's center of gravity should remain low. Shorter and slower steps can help to support this effort, while simultaneously keeping force off of the knees. To minimize impact, the knee should bend with each step.

All of this requires a higher level of focus than the hiker may be accustomed to. It is easy for many hikers to relax on the downhill and to release control, despite the fact that this leaves the hiker more susceptible to strain.

Finally, although the hiker's own physical ability to control the descent does have a significant impact on reducing strain, the pack itself plays a role. Experts recommend that hikers carry as light a pack as possible, particularly if a trail involves steep downhills, as this can minimize the force exerted on the body.