CENTER OF INTEGRATIVE REHABILITATION
NORDIC WALKING
Nordic walking offers a significant benefit for cardiovascular health and muscular strength, particularly for those with joint issues or heart disease. By redistributing weight and reducing joint load, it serves as an
effective low-impact exercise that can increase cardiorespiratory demand without markedly raising perceived exertion. Studies have shown that it can significantly improve exercise capacity, oxygen
uptake, and even specific measures such as VO₂ max in heart disease patients, underscoring its value in cardiac rehabilitation and overall fitness enhancement.
Nordic walking enhances full-body workout effectiveness, activating both upper and lower body muscles more efficiently than traditional walking. It uniquely stimulates upper-body muscles, including those in
the arms, shoulders, and abdomen, offering additional benefits such as improved shoulder mobility and reduced muscle pain for office workers.
Notably, it exerts less strain on the lower back, making it a preferable option for individuals with lower back issues.
Nordic walking is particularly beneficial for older adults and those with coronary artery disease, demonstrating significant improvements in balance, functional mobility, endurance, and functional capacity. It outperforms traditional walking and even high-intensity training in enhancing quality of life, dynamic balance, lower body muscle strength, and aerobic capacity, indicating its effectiveness in improving essential life and work functions.
Nordic walking, through the activation of upper-body muscles, significantly increases energy expenditure, leading to enhanced calorie burning compared to traditional walking. A study highlighted an 18% greater reduction in fat mass among participants engaged in Nordic walking over those following a standard exercise regimen.
This indicates its efficacy in improving cardiovascular health, enhancing muscular strength in both upper and lower body parts, and offering superior calorie-burning benefits.
