Comparison of treadmill and over-ground Nordic walking

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to compare the physiological responses of Nordic walking on a specially designed treadmill and Nordic walking on a level over-ground surface. Thirteen participants completed three 1-h Nordic walking training sessions. Following the training sessions, each participant performed two 1600-m over-ground Nordic walking trials at a self-selected pace. Each participant then completed two 1600-m Nordic walking treadmill trials on a Hammer Nordic Walking XTR Treadmill®, at the mean walking speed of their two over-ground Nordic walking trials. Breath-by-breath analysis of oxygen uptake ([Vdot]O2) and heart rate was performed during each trial. Caloric expenditure was calculated using the [Vdot]O2. Rating of perceived exertion (RPE) was assessed at the end of each trial. We found no significant differences in physiological variables collected during the two over-ground Nordic walking trials or the two treadmill Nordic walking trials. Mean walking speed was 106.96±11.49 m · min−1. Mean heart rate during treadmill walking (99±13 beats · min−1) was 22% lower than that during the over-ground condition (126±17 beats · min−1). Mean [Vdot]O2 and mean caloric expenditure were also lower during treadmill walking (15.18±3.81 ml · min−1 · kg−1, 0.08±0.02 kcal · min−1 · kg−1) than over-ground walking (24.16±4.89 ml · min−1 · kg−1, 0.12±0.02 kcal · min−1 · kg−1). Analysis of variance demonstrated that all variables were significantly higher during over-ground Nordic walking (P<0.001). A Mann-Whitney U-test demonstrated that the RPE for over-ground Nordic walking was greater than that for treadmill Nordic walking (P=0.02). Thus over-ground Nordic walking created a greater physiological stress than treadmill Nordic walking performed at the same speed and distance. The reason for this difference may have been the relatively narrow walking and poling decks on the treadmill, which made it difficult for the participants to place their poles correctly and maintain a consistent walking pattern. This would decrease the contribution of the arm muscles to overall oxygen consumption. In conclusion, the Hammer Nordic Walking XTR Treadmill® does not replicate the physiological stress of over-ground Nordic walking. Increasing the width of the decks could eliminate the discrepancy.