Physiological and Perceptual Responses to Nordic Walking in a Natural Mountain Environment

Abstract

Background: Interest around Nordic Walking (NW) has increased in recent years. However, direct comparisons of NW with normal walking (W), particularly in ecologically valid environments is lacking. The aim of our study was to compare NW and W, over long distances in a natural mountain environment. Methods: Twenty one subjects (13 male/8 female, aged 41 ± 12 years, body mass index BMI 24.1 ± 3.7), walked three distinct uphill paths (length 2.2/3.4/7 km) with (NW) or without (W) walking poles over two separate days. Heart rate (HR), energy expenditure (EE), step length (SL), walking speed (WS), total steps number (SN) and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) were monitored. Results: HR (+18%) and EE (+20%) were higher in NW than in W whilst RPE was similar. SN (−12%) was lower and SL (+15%) longer in NW. WS was higher (1.64 vs. 1.53 m s−1) in NW. Conclusions: Our data confirm that, similarly to previous laboratory studies, differences in a range of walking variables are present between NW and W when performed in a natural environment. NW appears to increase EE compared to W, despite a similar RPE. Thus, NW could be a useful as aerobic training modality for weight control and cardiorespiratory fitness.

Muscular and metabolic responses to different Nordic walking techniques, when style matters

“…The speed was set at 5.5 km/h as it was the most common in previous investigations, when subjects were free to select their speed of locomotion (healthy young and adults, [ 19 ] [ 20 ] [ 21 ] rehabilitation [ 22 ] elderly: [ 23 ]). Even though self selected NW speed is higher than self selected speed for conventional walking, [ 20 ] [ 21 ] [ 22 ], we decided to use the same speed for every condition, to avoid introducing a confounding factor in the study. The experimental conditions included conventional walking (W), Nordic Walking (NW), and three other locomotion with poles, in which the movement of arms and poles or the extent of poling force have been modified as described below.…”

Determining Factors of Physical Performance in an Exercise Stress Test in Women Practicing Nordic Walking

“…We have taken into account previous experience in the practice of Nordic walking by dividing our population into veterans and newcomers; this separation has not been seen in the literature cited referring to the practice of this discipline (Perrey & Fabre, 2008;Grainer et al, 2017). This division has been considered since a previous level of experience may cause changes not to occur or be slight due to the habit of exercising.…”

Are Trekking Poles Helping or Hindering Your Hiking Experience? A Review

“…17 Several studies have examined subjective responses to the use of trekking poles, such as DOMS or RPE (Table 1). 4,8,12,14,16,18 What little research has been done on RPE has mainly focused on ascending grades. During 3 different sections of an ascent of the highest mountain in the United Kingdom, RPE was lower when using trekking poles compared to a no-pole condition.…”

“…4 , 7 , 14 , 19 Individuals with diseases that affect their gait may benefit from using trekking poles; the use of poles has been shown to improve functional capabilities and allow users to adopt a more normal walking pattern. 4,7,14,19 Research has also explored kinetics during downhill walking, comparing ground reaction forces (GRF)dthe forces between the individual and the ground that are related to load carriagedand forces on lower extremity joints, joint loading forces, and joint moments with and without trekking poles (Table 3). 6,7,11,19,20 When trekking poles are used, vertical GRF and joint loading of the lower extremities may be reduced by up to 12% and 16%, respectively.…”