Nordic Pole Walking: Fit or Fad
– Physiotherapy Practice Magazine

Letty Krucz has always loved to walk, cycle and dance. But five years ago arthritis began rapidly creeping into her knees, making almost any kind of physical activity painful. “I felt like an old lady,” says the vivacious 42-year-old today, thinking back to the difficulties she had simply rising out of a chair.

In an attempt to stay active, she tried swimming, group exercise classes and a circuit-style workout, but none was quite the right fit. When she noticed an upbeat group of women striding through her neighbourhood with Nordic walking poles, she asked her orthopaedic hip and knee surgeon for his input. “He said it would be a ‘magnificent’ exercise choice for me,” says Kurucz.

Today, Kurucz is a Nordic walking devotee. “Every time I push off with the poles, it releases pressure on my knees,” she says. “And focusing on the coordination and technique takes my mind away from them.” Here’s another really big bonus: she’s 40 pounds lighter thanks to her once-again active lifestyle.

But is Nordic walking just another passing fitness fad?

According to Marja-Leena Keast, PT, Nordic walking is a great fitness activity that can be used in many patient populations. “While it appeals to elderly individuals with stability concerns or those with chronic conditions such as arthritis, it can be beneficial for any age group,” says Keast. “For instance, in Finland it is offered as an alternative training for young army trainees unable to participate in high-impact activities due to joint injury.”

Nordic walking has also recently been investigated as a potential rehabilitation modality for conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, type 2 diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and fibromyalgia, and for patients with post-acute coronary syndrome or congestive heart failure, explains Keast.

“Nordic walking is great for cardio – pulmonary rehabilitation patients,” says Keast, “and it can benefit patients with orthopaedic issues such as arthritis and peripheral neuro-pathies.” However, patients with stability issues should be assessed carefully, she adds, noting that some would be better off using a walker…Read Full PDF

2011 © Canadian Physiotherapist Association