Health Benefits of Nordic Walking
Modern lifestyle, with its lack of everyday physical activity and exercise training, predisposes people to chronic diseases such as diabetes mellitus, obesity, hypertension, and coronary artery diseases.
Brisk walking as a simple and safe form of exercise is an effective measure to counteract sedentary lifestyle risks even in the most unfit and could lead to a reduction of the prevalence of chronic diseases in all populations. Nordic Pole Walking is a low-impact exercise that provides the highest benefits for health, wellness and fitness for people of all ages and fitness levels. Anyone can become a Nordic Pole Walker and instantly experience the benefits of it. Pole Walking has been proven and validated through many scientific and clinical research studies to be a catalyst in promotion of improving your health, physical activity and rehabilitation.
Nordic Pole Walking was created in Finland in the early 1990s as a way for cross-country skiers to train during the summer months. It was introduced as a low-impact form of exercise that involves walking with a pair of customized poles.
Some research revealed that with regard to short- and long-term effects on heart rate, oxygen consumption, quality of life, and other measures, Nordic walking is superior to brisk walking without poles and in some endpoints to jogging.
Normal walking utilizes muscles in the lower half of the body while pole walking adds the use of your upper body muscles, your arms, back, shoulders and neck. Pole Walking turns your walk into a whole-body activity.
Numerous clinical studies show the vast benefits of pole walking, especially among seniors. Poling contributes to faster weight loss, better cardiovascular health and better posture. Poling even helps people recovering from knee or hip surgery to get moving again through the support from the poles.
The health benefits of pole walking are so convincing that hospitals and medical associations are actively encouraging its integration into health and wellness practice.
Some of the benefits of Nordic Pole Walking are:
* you incorporate 90% use of body muscles (only 40% while walking without poles)
* you increase your cardiovascular workout
* increases of up to 46% higher calorie expenditure
* there is reduced stress on your hips and knees through the support of the poles
* you improve your posture and balance
* perceived as less workout than the actual true physical exertion
* upper body activity using the poles improves upper body mobility
* upper body activity using the poles reduces upper back, neck and shoulder pains
* it is suitable for people of all ages and fitness levels
References:
- Am J Prev Med 2013;44(1):76–84) © 2013 American Journal of Preventive Medicine
Tokyo International Nordic Walking 