Eyes fixed on the horizon we set off for a walk: what is happening in our body?
When we step forward with the right foot, the left shoulder will step forward. Phenomenon of reverse rotation, totally unconscious.
At the shoulders and pelvis, these compensations are constantly at work when we walk, says Guillaume Douet, who is an osteopath.
When we take poles, we put more strain on the shoulders. Suddenly we reduce the work that has to be done on the pelvis, the compensations due to the displacement are therefore more distributed and we damage our knees less. However, the pelvis is more strained in terms of fluidity.
Moving with poles therefore produces less impact but more movement.
The pelvis sways left side, right side, during walking, that’s for the articular part.
Let’s talk about the muscle part.
The back muscles function as large stays that hold the spinal column. The more you strain your entire back, the more support you have, and the more efficient these guy muscles are.
How high should the poles be adjusted?
Stand straight, feet flat, poles vertical, gaze straight ahead: your elbows should be at 90 °, therefore at right angles.
You just have to put one foot in front of the other, the arm / leg movement comes naturally, without thinking about it. Good walk !