Nordic Walking Health facts

• Heart rate is 5-17 beats per minute higher (for example in normal walking heart rate is 130 beats/minute and in Nordic Walking 147 beats per minute i.e. increase is 13%)

• Energy consumption increases when using poles by an average of 20% compared with ordinary walking without poles

• Up to a 46% increase in energy consumption (Cooper Institute research, Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sports 2002 publication)

• Releases pain and muscle tension in the neck/shoulder region

• The lateral mobility of the neck and spine increases significantly

• The muscles most actively involved are the forearm extensor and flexor muscles, the rear part of the shoulder muscles, the large pectoral muscles and the broad back muscles

• Does not aggravate joints and knees

• Reduces the load on knees and other joints

• Consumes approximately 400 calories per hour (compared with 280 calories per hour for normal walking)

• Poles are a safety factor on slippery surfaces

Nordic Walking should be practiced for relatively long periods, i.e. between half an hour and two hours at a time. The pace should be steady and the heart rate should rise to between 120 and 150 beats per minute.