Nordic walking and regular walking
A comparison
of Nordic walkers and regular walkers (without poles) yielded some encouraging
results about Nordic walking. Here's some information:
- Participants: 11 women, 11 men. Late 20s to early 30s.
- Distance: 1,600 meters on 200-meter track.
Results:
Dimension
|
Women
|
Men
|
Oxygen consumption
|
Greater than
regular walking
|
Greater than
regular walking
|
Caloric
expenditure
|
Greater than
regular walking
|
Greater than
regular walking
|
Heart rate
|
Greater than
regular walking
|
Greater than
regular walking
|
There's why the
results are interesting:
- The age of the participants indicates Nordic walking is worthwhile for younger people. The stereotype is that Nordic walking is only for senior citizens and people with chronic illnesses.
- The greater oxygen consumption and caloric expenditure comes from involving muscles in the upper body.
- The greater heart rate means a stronger heart and the ability to get to a fat burning zone.
Most
interesting is another observation in the study that the improvements came
"without significantly increasing
perceived exertion."
Give
Nordic walking a try.
#NordicWalkingGuy