The topic of Nordic walking shows the main points of scientific interest concerning form of physical exercise. Existing research mainly focuses on presenting it as beneficial for the elderly. The authors of the topic are presenting the advantages of pole walking for distinctive age groups. There are a number of publications concerning elderly women specifically. Nordic walking is also an object of interest in biomechanical studies. There is an apparent shortage of publications on the utility of this kind of physical activity for children and the young. This seems to be a frequent shortcoming of the research methodology, as it is difficult to deduce whether the study is based on the correct Nordic walking technique or rather on walking with poles as a bracing device. At the same time there is no data concerning Nordic walking as a competitive sport which has been developing dynamically.

Introduction. Results presented in this article are part of an international project called Project of physical activity stimulation in a family (PPASF) held jointly with the Klaipėda University and LASE in Riga. We decided to check whether participation of children in preschool age in active classes in nursery school may be an impetus to change behavior in terms of physical activity of a family. For this purpose, a model was developed that included physical activity program conducted in the nursery school, with homework for the children to do together with their parents at home. The aim of the study was to examine the extent to which a child can persuade the parents to a common physical activity and whether sport and recreation for children with homework are a successful proposal to increase motor activity of the family. Material and methods. A diagnostic survey method was applied in the research, using a questionnaire technique. The survey questionnaire covered 38 families including 30 mothers and 8 fathers. Results and conclusions. Research has shown that children can become facilitators of physical activity in the family. The proposed model classes for children proved to be an accurate proposal, which is worth to implement the practice of teaching.

The aim of research is to examine and describe young individuals who participate in extended sport education program. The main focus concerns family influences on the development of the investigated youngsters’ sportive patterns. Data were collected through online and paper (whenever appropriate) questionnaires (elite sport training in secondary higher education – models of success in sport with pupils from a selection of sport schools in respective countries). Coaches from sports schools representing all participating countries (Poland, Sweden, Latvia, Russia and Belarus) were interviewed. The results indicate that the influence of parents and physical education teachers on the decision to join a sport club and to continue sport career is rather low. Main reasons behind joining a sport club are: the desire to become an athlete, sport idols, and the subjects’ own will. Staying in a sport club and pursuing a career is also determined by previous achievements in the field and good coaches. The parents’ past engagement in psychical activities was not systematic. The subjects consider local sport facilities and a number of accessible sport clubs and sports coaches to be of high importance at the early stage of their engagement in sport.

Background:The main aim was to analyse the structure and body composition in untrained women after 12-week Nordic walking training.Material and methods: 26 women were divided into two groups: an EG-experimental group (n = 13) and a CG-control group (n = 13). The EG took part in 12-week Nordic walking training. All participants were examined twice: at the beginning and after the experiment. Body mass, waist and hips circumference; analysis of body composition (BIA method): BMI, body cell mass (BCM), total body (TBW), extracellular (ECW) and intracellular water (ICW); fat (FM), free fat (FFM) and muscle (MM) mass were recorded. The heart rate and lactate concentration were recorded to assess the exercise intensity. Results:The body composition analysis revealed significant changes: a decrease in ECW and an increase in ICW in the EG group. Insignificant changes were noticed: a decrease in ECW and FM, and an increase in TBW and ICW, FFM, MM and BMR were recorded in the CG.Conclusions: 12-week Nordic walking training affected the adipose tissue deposition, which prevented fat accumulation in lower body part. The used training was recognised to be a good way to maintain the basal body composition. An increase in ICW and a decrease in ECW at the same time were beneficial for intracellular mechanisms efficiency and prevented swellings.

Introduction. Family-oriented strategies of promoting physical activity are underused. In the last few years there has been a significant decrease in number of research on family as a promoter of physical activity. The research, when conducted, focuses on the influence parents' activity has on that of their children. There is a need for assessment of child's influence on parents' physical activity. Material and methods. The survey utilises an opinion poll in the form of a questionnaire. The sample consisted of 100 parents who were invited together with their children to a recreational fair. Results. The survey shows that child may be the person encouraging their parents to active recreation. Symptoms of this are: encouraging the parents to take part, satisfaction with the decision to take part in the event and the amount of positive sensations during play. The parents were of opinion that their both, children's as well as teacher's encouragement, was the most important factor in their decision to participate. Conclusions. The research indicated that after the fair children encouraged their parents to play together, whereas parents used games from the fair in their family free time. Because of the fact that the offered model of recreational event for families engaged and interested the participants, it is worth promoting in pedagogical sphere.