Hiking: Discover new trails
According to a study sponsored by the German Ministry of Economics and Technology and the German Hiking Association (2010), more than half of all German citizens use this simple chance to do something positive for their health and to enjoy fresh air and unspoilt nature. 30% actually do this at least once a month. Hikers come from all walks of life and the proportion of men and women is roughly the same. Conspicuous: In 2015, 17.3 million people among the German-speaking population aged 14 years and older went on a hiking or backpacking vacation (source: statista/German language).
Alone or in a group, in the foothills or in the Alps – hiking can be very varied and with the right preparation, it offers the perfect opportunity to enjoy the beautiful mountain air. If the right destination is chosen to match your ability and equipment, then the hike will be a beautiful experience.
The gentle road to fitness
Researchers are agreed; regular long walks in the great outdoors are ideal for preventing diseases of civilisation. These make our cardiovascular systems more resilient and stabilise our back muscles. Furthermore, repeated gentle exercise strengthens the bony architecture of our bones and protects against osteoporosis (source: IKK gesund plus). And don't forget: hiking keeps you slender. The energy consumed by walking a mile is similar to that used to run a mile. It just takes a little longer.
The right hiking gear
Since the weather in the mountains can turn nasty very quickly, the German Alpine Club (DAV) recommends wearing layers of protective clothing against the cold and bad weather: wear light T-shirts, a fleece and a weatherproof jacket. Make sure you have functional underwear, a cap, gloves and socks with a reinforced sole. Stout outdoor shoes are generally good enough for the average hiking trail, but a more demanding mountain tour over rocks and scree requires strong mountain boots with a sole with a good grip and watertight upper material. And besides a drink, you will also need the following utensils in your rucksack: walking maps, sun blocker, first-aid kit, a space blanket, a mobile telephone and a penknife (source: DAV/German language).
igli Comfort carbon insoles for fitter feet
Hiking activates the muscles and strong muscles reduce strain on the joints and improve posture. igli Comfort insoles are an ideal complement to hiking boots. The carbon makes the insole particularly comfortable and can have a positive effect on muscles and body posture. Special feature: individually positioned posts on the underside of the insole guide, support and relieve strain on the foot.
Incidentally: foot deformities are a common cause of hip, back and knee pain. Insoles can be very useful in such cases.
Don't misjudge the mountain!
Alpine terrain can be treacherous. It's not the more extreme forms of activities, such as mountaineering and skiing, that are particularly likely to cause accidents, it's hiking. A study by the German Alpine Club showed that 32% of all accidents reported on mountains were sustained during what was supposed to be a relaxing walk. With 65% and in pole position of the causes of accidents: lack of experience in the mountains, inadequate skills, and misjudgement (source: DAV).
Safety
The DAV recommends you observe the following points to minimise the risk of an accident when hiking:
- Only set off if you are healthy and fit, take suitable gear with you.
- Pack sufficient food and drink, and don't forget your walking map.
- Plan your tour meticulously and according to your physical fitness.
- Tell your family and friends where you plan to go.
- It is advisable to consult a sports doctor before going on your first tour.
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Health hints for summiteers – treating injuries incurred while hiking
Sprains are among the most common walking injuries. If you've twisted your ankle, you should initially elevate the leg and cool the sprained ankle. If you cannot walk any further, you must alarm the mountain rescue service. Sprains are usually uncomplicated.
The doctor can prescribe you a medical device, for example, the medi bandages Levamed or Levamed active. The combination of compression with a massage effect ensures that swelling and effusion are reduced.
Depending on the degree of severity of the injury, there are also orthoses for the ankle joint. The rigid half-shells of the ankle brace M.step provide excellent stabilisation during pronation and supination movements (turning of the foot). At the same time, the foam gel pads of the brace allow it to mould itself to any swelling that may be present without generating pressure. The M.step ankle orthosis can be fitted quickly and reliably with only two Velcro straps; the straps can be taken off the outer shell and fixed individually.
However, in some rare cases, ligament injuries and swelling caused by a sprain can lead to chronic instability of the joint. This means that the joint is too lax and you could twist and sprain the ankle again.Special ankle supports (for example, Levamed active) can protect against recurrent twisting injuries. The ankle joint is additionally stabilised by a strap system.
It may be useful to wear compression garments if you have weak connective tissues, venous disorders or if you are considerably overweight. Medical retailers can now supply you with special sport compression garments, such as CEP, for almost all types of sports.
Diagnosis & treatment
Product tip
The human body
Health personnel will make the diagnosis and can prescribe medical aids, e.g. from medi if necessary. Your medical retailer will fit them individually for you.
