Hi y'all, On Mon, 17 Jan 2000, Robert C. Cline wrote: << How about the increased stress to the tendons from a stiffer Paddle? My usual canoe partner screwed up his elbow (tendons) doing a race. The only race he ever used a carbon paddle for. He had done similar length races in the past. He blamed the injury on the paddle and hasn't used a carbon paddle since. I got a good deal on his, used once, paddle. He is now prone to elbow problems. The initial injury took about 6 months to heal. While the tendons healed he had to stop golfing and playing guitar - he had a band prior to the injury. I have some elbow tendon sensitivity from my carbon wing paddle (a brutally stiff club of a paddle). I'm hoping that going to a slightly more flexible wing paddle reduces the stress on my elbows.>> My first reaction is to question your warm-up time. Most folks simply don't bother to put enough time into this very important step. I had a bout of tendonitis a long time ago when I was whitewater paddling in West by-God Virginia. It was in the spring when the water was high and fast. Once you put in, you had to paddle hard to get out through the trees! I'm sure, looking back, that that was the cause of my problems. And yes, it took about 6 months for my elbow to heal too. It sucked basically. What could I have done to prevent this? Well, I could have done warm-up exercised on the river banks before putting in. I have a bit of difficulty believing that stiffness is a major contributor to joint injuries. I do, however, think that a large blade surface could add a lot of stress. The wing paddle shape and attributes (not budging... grabbing the water and sticking there) could certainly do harm. Whatever paddle you use, warm-up for a long time. This holds true especially if you are prone to or have had stress injuries in the past. Or, if you've been on this planet for a long time (is this a politically correct way to describe an older person?). Cheers, Dave Williams dave_at_paddleasia.com http://paddleasia.com Phuket Thailand *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
In a message dated 1/19/00 2:20:42 PM Pacific Standard Time, paddler_at_loxinfo.co.th writes: > big snip > I have a bit of difficulty believing that stiffness is a major contributor > to joint injuries. big snip I'm no doctor, Dave, but I am a believer. Some years ago, all the hot shredders in WW and Rodeo went to stiff carbon paddles. They then did an about-face and started looking for more flexible shafts because they felt they were getting far more overuse injuries with the stiffer graphite shafts. I seem to remember similar histories in golf and baseball, and have experienced troubles with overly-stiff tennis rackets. I also know that I have fewer problems when I use flexible wood paddles. Can't explain it, but I believe it is analogous to running on hard surfaces without proper shock-absorbing shoes. The sudden, shocking loads put on the body cause micro-tears in muscle and tendon fibers, which causes soreness, swelling and possibly other overuse symptoms. Just thinking out loud. Harold Whose body sometimes objects to stiff abuse *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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