Physical Motion Analysis of Nordic Walking (P77)

Abstract

Recent years have seen a worldwide increase in people participating in Nordic Walking with a heavy concentration in Northern Europe. This trend has led to abundant research in Nordic Walking and to reports that this type of exercise is effective in reducing load on the lower limbs. At the same time, there has been no comprehensive experimental study to our knowledge on what change in muscular activity brings about this load-reduction effect. To clarify the exercise structure of Nordic Walking and particularly the mechanism behind this load-reduction effect on lower limb joints, this study simultaneously measured the load on lower limb joints during Nordic Walking on a level surface and the amount of muscular activity at 16 locations on the upper and lower limbs and compared the results with ordinary walking. Results revealed a decrease of 8% or greater in the downward force perpendicular to the floor at each lower limb joint suggesting a reduction in load on lower limb joints. They also showed that differences in lower-limb muscular activity were great at the knee extensor muscles of gastrocnemius and quadriceps femoris. In the upper limbs, all measured locations exhibited an increase in muscular activity with difference in activity of flexor carpi radialis being particular large compared to that of other muscles. These results indicate that bodily movement in Nordic Walking has the potential of reducing load on lower limb joints.