chris64
10-29-2008, 05:26 PM
My wife and I enjoy vacations and weekends away hiking/backpacking. We dont carry colossal loads but generally anything from 20 to 40 pounds (less in my wifes case) for several days for anything from 2 days to a week. The reason I am posting this is I am wondering if spending several hours on a daily basis carrying this weight will have a cumalative effect on our spines? We havent had any back problems as a result of this so far but was thinking the other day that the pack would be amplified gravity just as barbell squats and deadlifts are.
I read about retired soldiers having spinal problems due to this although I am aware the loads carried in their case are well above the figures I quote. I guess by choosing backpacks that are ergonomically designed for our backs and doing something to decompress our spines at rest stops and overnight camps we would be reducing any risks of compromising our spinal health. Does anyone have an opinion on this activity? In the conventional sense it is always considered a healthy pursuit but I am wondering about the overall effect on the vertebral column.
I read about retired soldiers having spinal problems due to this although I am aware the loads carried in their case are well above the figures I quote. I guess by choosing backpacks that are ergonomically designed for our backs and doing something to decompress our spines at rest stops and overnight camps we would be reducing any risks of compromising our spinal health. Does anyone have an opinion on this activity? In the conventional sense it is always considered a healthy pursuit but I am wondering about the overall effect on the vertebral column.