Peter wrote: >The thing I don't understand is how flexing those leg muscles in a kayak >generates the forward movement. Hi Peter, Someone who's deeper into the mechanics of things will have to give us the scientific answer, but my bet is that it's like the difference beteen pedaling a bicycle with a flexible frame and pedaling one with a stiff frame. Having been an avid cycler I tested various bikes and sure enough, less flex in the frame yielded more motion per effort expended. The bike folks say it is because it takes energy to flex the frame. So, perhaps driving with your leg supports the action other muscles. In addition, that fraction of an inch of movement is tranferred to the stroke through the joints into the long lever arms of the arms. Might not take much movement three inches from your spine to turn into a foot or two of stroke at the paddle. Just musings, not science. Cheers, Carey *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************Received on Mon Sep 06 2004 - 16:14:56 PDT
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