Long-time public safety officer John Rhyshek leads the Bristol Bay Police Department in Alaska as officer and chief. He previously served as a state trooper for the state of Alaska, and as an officer for the Houston, Alaska, police department. A fan of the great outdoors, John Rhyshek enjoys all types of open-air activities, including hiking.
A powerful cardiovascular activity, hiking strengthens and tones several muscles throughout the body. These include the calves, glutes, abs, hips, quadriceps, and hamstrings.
The quadriceps on the front of the thighs are the primary muscle used during hiking trips as they are responsible for extending the knee while a person walks. The hamstrings work in combination with the quads since they are located on the back of the thigh. While the quads extend the leg, the hamstrings pull them back so the body moves forward.
With hiking, the calves are also constantly active, but the level of activity they get depends on changes in intensity during the hike. Flatter hikes stress the calves less, so they get less of a workout. Similarly, the glutes support the body weight of a hiker and are worked more rigorously during uphill hikes or when hikers carry heavier backpacks.
Finally, the abs and hips support the rest of the body during a hike. The abs, specifically, keep the body upright and reduce the risk of back injuries. Lower back pain is also minimized by the hip muscles, but they must be flexible and loose when hiking so the group of muscles functions fluidly.
