Nordic walkiNg

Shearer’s career praises Nordic walking for its

exercise benefits “particularly

for those with

early-to-advanced degenerative joint disease or those

rehabilitating from surgery”.

Rehabilitation work While the benefits to athlete rehabilitation are significant, it is within the exercise referral

arena that Nordic walking has a

significant role to play. As an activity that is cheap to set up and can be delivered to multiple clients, Nordic walking has been incorporated into the cardiac rehabilitation and COPD rehabilitation programmes of a number of PCTs. As early as 1996, Walter et al. (3) demonstrated that use of walking poles can safely increase the intensity of walking exercise in Phase III / IV cardiac rehabilitation patients. Evidence is growing now for Nordic walking as an effective intervention in other medical conditions as wide ranging as Parkinson’s disease (4,5), and breast cancer treatment (6). Oakley et al. (7) from Sheffield Vascular Institute concluded that Nordic walking immediately (from the very first session!) enables patients with intermittent claudication to walk further with less pain, despite a higher workload. Global experts have suggested that further research here has the potential to change the way the NHS treats this condition. Overall, there is lack of substantial large group trials over longer timeframes reflecting that Nordic walking is only 12 years’ old globally. Current, ongoing research in three UK universities, however, would indicate that the future is very bright indeed.

The benefits of Nordic walking Two of the greatest benefits of Nordic walking are the simplest yet possibly the most profound. 1. Nordic walking is an outdoor activity and a third of UK adults prefer to exercise outdoors, (Mintel) 2. Participants can choose to get into their own personal rhythm (“into the zone”) or chat while they exercise both of which have positive mental effects. Numerous studies (see whi.org.uk) provide evidence that exercising outdoors

www.exerciseregister.org As well as increasing scientific research

“The specific cardiovascular benefits are extremely attractive to the fitness enthusiast and more conditioned athlete”

generally leads to increased activity levels, has a positive effect on mood, reduces

stress levels and increases the opportunity for social interaction. A strong positive relationship has been shown between better health and access to green space and

involvement in one’s community (8).

into its benefits and increasing availability Nordic walking is growing in popularity. It’s an instant hit with almost all who try it and with a growing trend for more a more varied and open approach to exercise we think it’s a discipline that will carry on growing for years to come.

More information Visit www.nordicwalking.co.uk or call 0845 260 9339.

References and reorder references 1. Church, Earnest, Morss. Field testing of physiological responses associated with Nordic Walking. research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport 2002;73:296-300 2. Jordan, Olson, Earnest, Morss, Church. Metabolic cost of high intensity poling while Nordic Walking versus normal walking. Medicine and Science in Sports & Exercise 2001;33(5):S86 3. Walter, Porcari, Brice, Terry. Acute responses to using walking poles in patients with coronary artery disease. Journal of cardiopulmary rehabilitation 1996;16(4):245-250 4. Baatile, Langbein, Weaver, Maloney, Jost. Effect of exercise on perceived quality of life of individuals with Parkinson´s disease. Journal of rehabilitation research and development 2000;37(5):529-534 5. Van Eijkeren, Reijmers, Kleinveld, Minten, Bruggen, Bloem. Nordic walking improves mobility in Parkinson’s disease. Movement disorders 2008;23(15):2239-2243 6. Sprod, Drum, Bentz, Carter, Schneider. The effects of walking poles on shoulder function in breast cancer survivors. integrative cancer Therapies 2005;4(4):287-293 7. Oakley, Zwierska, Tew, Beard, Saxton. Nordic poles immediately improve walking distance in patients with intermittent claudication. European Journal of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery. 2008;36(6):689-694; discussion 695-696 8. Takano, Nakamura, Watanabe. Urban residential environments and senior citizens’ longevity in megacity areas: the importance of walkable green spaces. Journal of Epidemology and community Health 2002;56:913-918.

THE aUTHor

Martin christie introduced Nordic walking to the Uk in 2003 and developed the Uk’s first instructor training programme. He is lead tutor for Nordic walking Uk, an organisation which has trained over 750 instructors. Martin is presenting at the wrigHT Foundation

Exercise referral, rehab and activity conference at liw 2009.

aNSwEr THE FollowiNg QUESTioNS oNliNE To EarN cpd poiNTS click the following link http://bit.ly/JCTaE

Q1 Q2

Q3

What percentage of muscles are used during a Nordic walking session – is it?

When walking with poles what increase in energy expenditure did

participants experience– was it?

What body action has been found to be the reasons for Nordic walking’s

health benefits – is it?

a) Cross-body action b) Bi-lateral swing c) Lumber curve

a) 50 % b) 70 % c) 90 % a) 64 % b) 76 % c) 88 %

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