Abstract
Background: Nordic walking (NW), due to its attractiveness and convenience of equipment, is becoming more popular and utilised in the areas of sports, recreation and physiotherapy. Some of its impacts on load to the body have not yet been sufficiently explored. Objective: The objective of the study was to determine the impact of walking speed and slope of the ground on the magnitude of axial forces, transferred to the poles by upper extremities during NW. Methods: The study was participated in by 17 healthy subjects, aged 25.9 ± 3.6 years, who went through 12 independent measurements on a treadmill in various speeds (6.0; 6.6; 7.2 and 7.8 km * h-1) and slopes (0; 5 and 7.5%). These measurements provided us with values of basic spatiotemporal variables, characterizing NW performance and force variables, acting on the poles. Results: Increased walking speed led to increase in cycle frequency (p < .001) and increase in peak poling force and average poling force (p < .001). Poling time reduced with increasing speed (p < .001). Increase in slope of ground had no significant impact on the magnitude of time and dynamic variables. Conclusions: Increased walking speed during NW increases the force, generated by the upper extremities on the poles. During NW it is possible to prefer walking speed rather than to change the slope of the ground for those patients, who are indicated to strengthen upper extremities.
Highlights
The interest in Nordic walking (NW) has been on the rise
Comparative studies dealing with biomechanical analysis of NW and normal walking often come to different conclusions
The objective of the study was to determine the impact of walking speed and slope of the ground on the spatiotemporal variables and the magnitude of axial forces, transferred to the poles by upper extremities during NW
Summary
The interest in NW has been on the rise. The advantage of this physical activity is that it is a simple and natural movement, based on natural walking, similar to basic human locomotion. Comparative studies dealing with biomechanical analysis of NW and normal walking often come to different conclusions. We found only 2 studies dealing with the axial forces, transferred to the poles by upper extremities during NW. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to determine the impact of walking speed and slope of the ground on the magnitude of axial forces, transferred to the poles by upper extremities during NW. METHODS: The study was participated in by 17 healthy subjects, aged 25.9 ± 3.6 years, who went through 12 independent measurements on a treadmill in various speeds (6.0; 6.6; 7.2 and 7.8 km · h–1) and slopes (0; 5 and 7.5%) These measurements provided us with values of basic spatiotemporal variables, characterizing NW performance and force variables, acting on the poles. During NW it is possible to prefer walking speed rather than to change the slope of the ground for those patients, who are indicated to strengthen upper extremities
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