Sunday sounds: Try this collection if you like to be plugged in during your Nordic walk.

Popularity of Nordic walking

These statistics about Nordic walking in Germany will give you an idea of what's possible here in the US. Check out this general statistic: "In 2013, around 1.34 million people in Germany aged 14 years or older went walking, or Nordic walking, in their spare time several times a week."

Let's do the math:

• Population of Germany in 2013: 80.62 million. That means there was 1 Nordic walker for every 60 people.

• Population of US in 2013: 316.5 million. At the same rates as Germany, there would have been over 5 million Nordic walkers in the US.

How many were really in the US? One estimate I found places 2 million Nordic walkers in the US. Let's assume that's a correct estimate based on rigorous surveys. That's not too much more than Germany, which has one-fourth the population of the US. In other words, there is much to be done in spreading the word.

Interesting facts about walking

I found some interesting comparisons about frequency and speed when people walk. The research took place on 2 footbridges and on 2 shopping floors, and the participants were walking naturally. The observations covered walking frequency, velocity, and stride length.

Observations:

• Average frequency of approximately 2 steps per second and a velocity between 4 and 5 feet per second on the shopping floors.
• On the footbridges, an average frequency of just under 2 steps per second and a velocity closer to 4 feet per second.
• The step-length on the shopping floors and the footbridges are almost the same with average values of 2 1/2 feet for men and just over 2 feet for women.

• Men walked with a higher velocity than the women.

• Women walked with higher frequency than men.

• There is a linear relationship between walking velocity and frequency which is different for men and women.

One way this helps us in Nordic walking is to make us aware that different people have different walking characteristics. That means when walking in a group, you want to take those characteristics into account so you don't leave people behind.

Think about it. What are some ways to do that with a group of people?