Sea Kayaks Techniques Bulletin Board

Re: Back pains, of second kind

Posted By: Paul Jacob
Date: Tuesday, 8 March 2005, at 1:56 p.m.

In Response To: Back pains, of second kind (risto)

Risto -

I had a very sore back for several months when I first started outrigger paddling. This was no surprise as the back is used in the stroke. But after a while my back muscles responded and the soreness went away. When I started surfski and Olympic kayak paddling I found that good posture was the real answer. Your lower back will not be stressed if you're in a good forward sitting position.

My ever-so-humble-also-not-professional-but-have-experience-with-it opinion is that back rests on kayaks lead to more back trouble than if they were left out altogether. The best posture for kayak paddling is sitting up straight with the upper body tilted forward a bit. This will put stress on the hip flexors if you're not tilted forward. Most kayak seats are tilted backwards to take the strain off the hip flexsors and with the backrests installed the whole assembly imitates a Barcalounger position in the boat. This is back trouble waiting to happen. Sitting back also severely inhibits the proper trunk rotation necessary for good stroke mechanics. Not surprisingly, proper trunk rotation will also strengthen the core muscles that also support the spine. You can always sit back while you're resting, but my advice is to sit up straight with a slight forward tilt to the upper body, get good stroke advice that emphasizes body rotation as opposed to arms pulling, and take stretching seriously between paddles. I also wholeheartedly agree with the advice not to stretch when you're in a position where your back is supporting any weight.

Messages In This Thread

Back pains, of second kind
risto -- Tuesday, 8 March 2005, at 11:26 a.m.

Re: Back pains, of second kind
William N -- Tuesday, 8 March 2005, at 11:51 a.m.

Re: Back pains, of second kind
Robert N Pruden -- Tuesday, 8 March 2005, at 12:38 p.m.

Backbone connected to the hip bone
Mike Scarborough -- Tuesday, 8 March 2005, at 12:50 p.m.

Re: Back pains, of second kind
Paul Jacob -- Tuesday, 8 March 2005, at 1:56 p.m.

Re: Back pains, of second kind
Kris Buttermore -- Wednesday, 9 March 2005, at 11:34 a.m.

Re: Back pains, of second kind
martin lister -- Tuesday, 8 March 2005, at 5:15 p.m.

Re: Back pains, of second kind
Robert N Pruden -- Tuesday, 8 March 2005, at 6:53 p.m.

Re: Back pains, of second kind
Jay Doorly -- Tuesday, 8 March 2005, at 10:50 p.m.

Re: Back pains, of second kind *LINK*
Rob -- Wednesday, 9 March 2005, at 1:31 a.m.

My thanks to you all *NM*
risto -- Friday, 11 March 2005, at 11:40 a.m.

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