ScienceDaily (June 3, 2010) -- A study by academics at Northumbria University has shown for the first time that trekking-poles help hikers maintain muscle function while significantly reducing soreness in the days following a hike.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/06/100602121000.htm

The body betrays and the weather conspires, hopefully, not on the same day.