Study finds way to make walking easier
blogs.ohsu.edu
blogs.ohsu.edu
... but by far the most useful is: 1) As you are walking, you push yourself forward at the top of your stride. There is a moment where the big muscle in your arm can be put to use, basically making walking "feel" about 15% easier. It makes walking into more of a whole body effort, so you can go faster and further without getting tired.
I suppose it's different for each person, depending upon their age their health.
For me, sometimes it's easier to just kinda, jog or sorta, "controlled fall" down the hill, in this case, the walking sticks should be held in your hand. But at other times, you go slow and lever yourself down with the poles.
Of course, the big downside of the poles if that you're constantly fiddling with them. They're noisy and take effort.
Most incidents turn on the smallest details. A 4' metal pole with a sharp point on the end is a very meaningful thing to have in your hand. 99% of any incidents will be with dogs. So it's more about appearing big and formidable than it is actually needing to fight. Do not run. Stand, brandish your weapon, and make noise. People aren't that different from dogs. This is one of nature's strategies: appear big & scary.
If you were hiking and descending many challenging pistes with slippery rocks and whatnot, you would be happy to have a walking stick to help you.
Granted, I'm assuming that the "strangers" as alluded to in the post you're responding to are not themselves armed. It seems like that is what was communicated.
Also, if #1 is why it's used then #2 and #3 are just gravy.
Also for dogs, being long, they are far slower to move than the animal, witch means that they can only be used with the intention of trespass the dog skin with the tip, a thing typically not lethal (unless you are a dog killer with exercise) but very painful who likely get more aggressive then before...
If I want to de-escalate with someone much depend on the situation but in general remain calm and clearly indifferent works far better then appear threatening and aggressive. If I need to push aggressive docs I can just ignore them continuing my root OR if they come close enough hit them hard with a single kick, that's far less painful then being pierced by a pointed stick but also far more threatening for them, they feel "throw away" by a so superior force that's no point in keep attacking. If that's not enough hit their head will stop them anyway, if you have no choice a stick will be of no help...
[1]: https://www.bhf.org.uk/what-we-do/our-research/impact-of-cli...
In the bungalow (single storey) I live in I have improvised a ramp system to help me get up if I fall, and it does work fairly well, but obviously not outside on the street.
Having supported (physically and mentally) my very wobbly mother up to her death, I can attest that it's falling, not walking that is problem that primarily needs to be addressed.
This seems more useful for things like walking as part of physical rehab, which is fairly common.
When I had an ACL replacement I spent a lot of time struggling on one-legged bosu ball balancing and doing ladder drills bouncing off the good and bad legs.
Ive recently had ACL surgery, and you essentially have to learn how to walk all over again, not to mention the pain and how little weight you can put onto it at first. In order to properly walk and run again, I used a treadmill with essentially a large bag on it which inflated, lifting you slightly. This put less weight on your legs, allowing you to walk and run with proper form and speed up recovery, it was crucial for me learning to run again. (It was an AlterG device btw)
So this device can serve a similar purpose, it is addressing how people walk instead of general mobility. As the article states, its used on a treadmill, and it seems to only be trying to get these people walking
However I understand your perspective, and sympathize. My mom has MS and has many of the same fears. We have found some ways to work around it. Maybe its just my dad being crafty, but some simple bars near ramps/high risk areas have seemed to help.
Yes, you are right, and my brother did install such things near loos and steps. Trouble is it gets to the point where you can't fix up such things everywhere, and you can't physically support loved one, like doorways. I don't know what an answer could be - an exoskeleton?
Anyway, best wishes to you and your mom.
Of course, you could always just switch exercises if you're looking for generic cardio. A lot of folks that can't walk well can easily use a stationary bike, but that's not going to work the same muscle groups.
"“When we walk, there is a short period between steps where one foot is stopping its forward motion while the other is preparing to accelerate to take the next step forward. Our research shows that this brief window where both feet are on the ground is the best time to apply force to assist walking most efficiently,” said Philippe Malcolm, Ph.D., assistant professor in biomechanics at UNO and lead investigator of the study.
The device works by providing timed pulls from a motorized pulley while an individual walks on a treadmill. Since it only requires wearing a waist belt, it is relatively easy to make individualized adjustments compared to more complicated devices."
Ive recently had ACL surgery, and you essentially have to learn how to walk all over again, not to mention the pain and how little weight you can put onto it at first. In order to properly walk and run again, I used a treadmill with essentially a large bag on it which inflated, lifting you slightly. This put less weight on your legs, allowing you to walk and run with proper form and speed up recovery, it was crucial for me learning to run again. (It was an AlterG device btw)
Was I “cheating”? Kinda, but that’s not the point. This device can help patients with low mobility. The article lays out both how it works and its potential use case.