Doctor gives advice to prevent injuries on hikes
Hiking can improve bone and joint health, but older people and inexperienced hikers should start slow to avoid injuries, an orthopedist said.
Hiking paths vary widely in difficulty, said Tai Ta-wei (戴大為), secretary-general of the Taiwanese Osteoporosis Association and head orthopedist at National Cheng Kung University Hospital in Tainan.
A long path is not necessarily strenuous, just as a short path could be very steep, Tai wrote on his Web site on Sept. 21.
Choosing an appropriate difficulty level is an important step in preventing injury, he said, recommending that hikers look up information about trail conditions and difficulty, including total length and elevation gain.
Just because a path is popular does not mean it is easy, such as the climb up the Marian Hiking Trail (è–æ¯ç™»å±±æ¥é“) in Yilan County’s Jiaosi Township (ç¤æºª), he added.
The hike is popular with the Instagram crowd for its attractive vistas lending it the apt nickname Matcha Mountain (抹茶山), but the long climb up to the peak is much more strenuous than it looks, he wrote.
Inexperienced hikers should start with level paths like those around lakes or in parks before taking on trails with greater elevation gain, he said.
Tai also suggested starting with parks with networks of trails rather than a single loop that give hikers the option to switch to an easier path if needed, or a more difficult route when feeling up to the challenge.
Muscle endurance and strength improve with training regardless of age, Tai added, urging people not to let age limit them, as your body will tell you what it is capable of.
The next important step is preparation, Tai said. Read More…
