Re: [Paddlewise] Why your legs go to sleep.

> The issue of seat design came and went briefly and raised the
> question "Why do my legs go to sleep and is it sometimes hard to
> walk upon exit from the boat?"  
> 
> I argued for the essential necessity of *lumbar* support in
> paddlecraft unless posture is held correctly at all times.  This
> is easier for me in a canoe.  The numbness is caused by an
> increase in the lumbosacral angle, "slumping", which in turn
> causes nerve root impingement.

Personally I disagree from experience. I and others have 
found it to be pressure on the leg/buttock area on the outer 
side of the leg. Feels comfortable in the seat but deadens the 
leg. Get rid of that pressure point (caused by the curved 
upward moulding of the seat at the sides) and the legs will at 
least not go to sleep. It will probably not be a comfortable 
seat  (for hours of sitting in) if the seat part is not long 
enough.

Same in my car seat without changing the lumbar support so 
there's another data point to support my contention (for me).

Alex
--
----------------------------------------------------
Alex Ferguson      a.ferguson_at_chem.canterbury.ac.nz
Electronics Workshop, Chem Dept, Univ of Canterbury
Christchurch, New Zealand
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