Nordic walking for cardiovascular rehabilitation

A study reported the results of comparing Nordic walking and regular walking for helping patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD).

Main point: "After a 4-week training period, Nordic walking training appeared more efficient than training without poles for increasing walk distance on the 6-min walk test for patients with ACS and PAOD."

Research results:

• The Nordic walkers had greater improvement in distance covered during the 6-minute walk test.
• Improvement was greatest for peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD).