The Effect of Mountaineering Pole Use on Respiratory Muscle Fatigue During Hiking

Hiking poles significantly benefit hikers by improving balance, reducing strain on lower limbs and spine, and redistributing workload to the upper extremities. However, exercise at moderate altitude often causes respiratory muscle fatigue (RMF), which limits performance. This study investigated the effect of mountaineering poles use on RMF during submaximal uphill walking, examining cardiovascular and pulmonary responses, perceived exertion (RPE) and perceived dyspnea (DYS). Seventeen hikers (36.2 ± 11.9 years) walked a 6.4 km trail (1010 m elevation) at 65–85% of their heart rate maximum (HRmax), with and without poles (wp/np). Maximum voluntary ventilation (MVV12), inspiratory capacity (IC), expiratory reserve volume (ERV), vital capacity (VC), tidal volume (VT), ventilation (VE), forced expiratory volume (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), respiration rate (RR), heart rate (HR), oxygen saturation (SaO2), blood lactate accumulation (BLC), energy expenditure (EE), RPE, DYS, and performance (Time) were measured at the trail’s end (2070 m). Paired samples t-tests and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests were used for comparison. IC was higher when using poles compared to hiking without poles (Δ = 0.21 L, p = 0.011, adjusted p = 0.187). Non-significant differences were observed for MVV12, ERV, VT, VE, RR, and BLC. In conclusion, under the investigated submaximal conditions, pole use did not significantly alter the overall physiological load or respiratory muscle endurance. These findings suggest that recreational hikers can utilize poles for mechanical support, without additional ventilatory or cardiovascular strain.