NPW Scientific Studies

International Overview on Clinical & Scientific Studies on Nordic Pole Walking 

 

Nordic Walking can imporve your well-being and fitness when having one of the world most common diseases.

Internation Nordic Walking Federation (INWA)

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Some of the many Health Benefits of Nordic Pole walking:

  1. Improves Posture / Spine Alignment.
  2. Strengthens upper body muscles and improves mobility.
  3. Nordic Pole Walking burns up to 20 – 46% more calories than regular walking.
  4. Improves cardiovascular system
  5. Helps to eliminate back, shoulder and neck pain.
  6. Decreases load reduction on hips and knees joints by 40%.
  7. Incorporates 90 % of all body muscles. (Only 40% while walking without poles).
  8. Benefits for Diabetics
  9. Benefits for Osteopenia and Osteoporosis
  10. Increases production of “positive” hormones.
  11. Supports stress management.
  12. Assists breast cancer patients (releases scar tissue and helps with motion).
  13. Functional mobility benefits for all ages, especially seniors.
  14. Benefits for those challenges with Parkinson’s Disease, MS and post stroke and CV disease.
  15. Is suitable for everyone of any age of every fitness level.
  16. Wonderful addition to cross-training for athletes.  You can also run, hop, skip, and jump with poles.
  17. Is social able, easy to learn, fun and allows you to walk 12 months of year indoors or outdoors.

There are over 400 + studies and scientific papers regarding the health benefits of Nordic Walking.

There are over 10 million+ people enjoying Nordic Pole walking around the world.

Scientific research on Nordic Walking

Hundreds of scientific research articles on Nordic Walking / pole walking have been published during the last 20 years all over the world. To search and to read them, keywords like “nordic walking”, “pole walking” and “nordic pole walking”, or even “trekking”, can be used on databases like Medline (Pubmed), Cochrane (Cochrane Library) and the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro).

HERE SOME RECENT RESEARCH ARTICLES ON NORDIC WALKING AND POLE WALKING:

Influence of Comprehensive Lifestyle Intervention (LSI) Program on Halth, Fatigue, and Quality of Life in Middle-Aged Women. Jung SJ, Lee SO, Choi MJ, Heo J, Chae SW, Cho BH. J Lifestyle Med. 2022 Sep 30;12(3):127-137. doi: 10.15280/jlm.2022.12.3.127.

No Influence of Mechatronic Poles on the Movement Pattern of Professional Nordic Walkers. Szpala A, Winiarski S, Kołodziej M, Pietraszewski B, Jasiński R, Niebudek T, Lejczak A, Lorek K, Bałchanowski J, Wudarczyk S, Woźniewski M. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 Dec 22;20(1):163. doi: 10.3390/ijerph20010163.

Effects and parameters of community-based exercise on motor symptoms in Parkinson’s disease: a meta-analysis. Yang CL, Huang JP, Wang TT, Tan YC, Chen Y, Zhao ZQ, Qu CH, Qu Y. BMC Neurol. 2022 Dec 29;22(1):505. doi: 10.1186/s12883-022-03027-z.

Effects of a one-week vacation with various activity programs on well-being, heart rate variability, and sleep quality in healthy vacationers-an open comparative study. Hübner M, Lechleitner P, Neumayr G. BMC Public Health. 2022 Dec 27;22(1):2435. doi: 10.1186/s12889-022-14838-7.

Effect of physical exercise on the hippocampus and global grey matter volume in breast cancer patients: A randomized controlled trial (PAM study). Koevoets EW, Geerlings MI, Monninkhof EM, Mandl R, Witlox L, van der Wall E, Stuiver MM, Sonke GS, Velthuis MJ, Jobsen JJ, van der Palen J, Bos MEMM, Göker E, Menke-Pluijmers MBE, Sommeijer DW, May AM; PAM study group; de Ruiter MB, Schagen SB. Neuroimage Clin. 2022 Dec 14;37:103292. doi: 10.1016/j.nicl.2022.103292. Online ahead of print.

Selected Spatiotemporal and Joint Angle Parameters in Normal Gait and Nordic Walking with Classical and Mechatronic Poles in Aspects of Sex Differences. Szpala A, Kołodziej M, Struzik A, Jasiński R, Bałchanowski KJ, Pietraszewski B, Woźniewski M. Biomed Res Int. 2022 Dec 13;2022:7905120. doi: 10.1155/2022/7905120. eCollection 2022.

Motives and Barriers Affecting the Participation of Polish People in the Physical Activity of Nordic Walking. Soroka A, Godlewska A, Mazurek-Kusiak A. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 Dec 7;19(24):16398. doi: 10.3390/ijerph192416398.

Nordic walking with an integrated resistance shock absorber affects the femur strength and muscles torques in postmenopausal women. Wochna K, Ogurkowska M, Leszczyński P, Stemplewski R, Huta-Osiecka A, Błaszczyk A, Mączyński J, Nowak A. Sci Rep. 2022 Nov 22;12(1):20089. doi: 10.1038/s41598-022-24131-7.

Nordic Walking Improves Cardiometabolic Parameters, Fitness Performance, and Quality of Life in Older Adults With Type 2 Diabetes. Della Guardia L, Carnevale Pellino V, Filipas L, Bonato M, Gallo G, Lovecchio N, Vandoni M, Codella R. Endocr Pract. 2022 Nov 16:S1530-891X(22)00867-9. doi: 10.1016/j.eprac.2022.11.007. Online ahead of print.

Effect of a 6-Week Cycle of Nordic Walking Training on Vitamin 25(OH)D3, Calcium-Phosphate Metabolism and Muscle Damage in Multiple Myeloma Patients-Randomized Controlled Trial. Czerwińska-Ledwig O, Vesole DH, Piotrowska A, Gradek J, Pilch W, Jurczyszyn A. J Clin Med. 2022 Nov 3;11(21):6534. doi: 10.3390/jcm11216534.

Biomechanical comparison of walking with a new, wearable rehabilitation training device to Nordic walking and regular walking in people with chronic low back pain. Sommer B, Pauli C, McCaskey M, Behrendt F, Schuster-Amft C, Graf ES. Assist Technol. 2022 Nov 8. doi: 10.1080/10400435.2022.2138634. Online ahead of print.

Effects of nordic walking exercise on gait, motor/non-motor symptoms, and serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor in individuals with Parkinson’s disease. Harro CC, Shoemaker MJ, Coatney CM, Lentine VE, Lieffers LR, Quigley JJ, Rollins SG, Stewart JD, Hall J, Khoo SK. Front Rehabil Sci. 2022 Oct 14;3:1010097. doi: 10.3389/fresc.2022.1010097. eCollection 2022.

A socio-ecological approach to reduce the physical activity drop-out ratio in primary care-based patients with type 2 diabetes: the SENWI study protocol for a randomized control trial. Jabardo-Camprubí G, Bort-Roig J, Donat-Roca R, Milà-Villarroel R, Sitjà-Rabert M, McKenna J, Puig-Ribera A. Trials. 2022 Oct 3;23(1):842. doi: 10.1186/s13063-022-06742-7.

Climbing as an Add-On Treatment Option for Patients with Severe Anxiety Disorders and PTSD: Feasibility Analysis and First Results of a Randomized Controlled Longitudinal Clinical Pilot Trial. Bichler CS, Niedermeier M, Hüfner K, Gálffy M, Gostner JM, Nelles P, Schöttl SE, Sperner-Unterweger B, Kopp M. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 Sep 15;19(18):11622. doi: 10.3390/ijerph191811622.

Calanus Oil Supplementation Does Not Further Improve Short-Term Memory or Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor in Older Women Who Underwent Exercise Training. Daďová K, Petr M, Tufano JJ, Sontáková L, Krauzová E, Štěpán M, Šiklová M, Šteffl M. Clin Interv Aging. 2022 Aug 13;17:1227-1236. doi: 10.2147/CIA.S368079. eCollection 2022.

Sustained Effects of Different Exercise Modalities on Physical and Mental Health in Patients With Coronary Artery Disease: A Randomized Clinical Trial. Terada T, Cotie LM, Tulloch H, Mistura M, Vidal-Almela S, O’Neill CD, Reid RD, Pipe A, Reed JL. Can J Cardiol. 2022 Aug;38(8):1235-1243. doi: 10.1016/j.cjca.2022.03.017. Epub 2022 Jun 15.

Exercise Modalities and Intensity to Improve Functional Capacity and Psychological/Mental Health in Cardiac Rehabilitation: A Role for Nordic Walking? Taylor JL, Popovic D, Lavie CJ. Can J Cardiol. 2022 Aug;38(8):1135-1137. doi: 10.1016/j.cjca.2022.03.020. Epub 2022 Jun 15.

Effectiveness of supervised exercise, home-based exercise or walk advice strategies on walking performance and muscle endurance in patients with intermittent claudication (SUNFIT trial)-a randomized clinical trial. Sandberg A, Bäck M, Cider Å, Jivegård L, Sigvant B, Wittboldt S, Nordanstig J. Eur J Cardiovasc Nurs. 2022 Aug 2:zvac070. doi: 10.1093/eurjcn/zvac070. Online ahead of print.

Community Exercise: A New Tool for Personalized Parkinson’s Care or Just an Addition to Formal Care? Domingos J, Dean J, Fernandes JB, Massano J, Godinho C. Front Syst Neurosci. 2022 Jun 30;16:916237. doi: 10.3389/fnsys.2022.916237. eCollection 2022.

Influence of Nordic walking with poles with an integrated resistance shock absorber on carbohydrate and lipid metabolic indices and white blood cell subpopulations in postmenopausal women. Huta-Osiecka A, Wochna K, Stemplewski R, Marciniak K, Podgórski T, Kasprzak Z, Leszczyński P, Nowak A. PeerJ. 2022 Jun 30;10:e13643. doi: 10.7717/peerj.13643. eCollection 2022.

Affective Responses to Both Climbing and Nordic Walking Exercise Are Associated With Intermediate-Term Increases in Physical Activity in Patients With Anxiety and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder – A Randomized Longitudinal Controlled Clinical Pilot Trial. Bichler CS, Niedermeier M, Hüfner K, Gálffy M, Sperner-Unterweger B, Kopp M. Front Psychiatry. 2022 Jun 9;13:856730. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.856730. eCollection 2022.

Effects of Nordic Walking Training on Anthropometric, Body Composition and Functional Parameters in the Middle-Aged Population. Grigoletto A, Mauro M, Oppio A, Greco G, Fischetti F, Cataldi S, Toselli S. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 Jun 17;19(12):7433. doi: 10.3390/ijerph19127433.

A Comparison of Acute Effects of Climbing Therapy with Nordic Walking for Inpatient Adults with Mental Health Disorder: A Clinical Pilot Trial. Thaller L, Frühauf A, Heimbeck A, Voderholzer U, Kopp M. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 Jun 1;19(11):6767. doi: 10.3390/ijerph19116767.

An Intervention of 12 Weeks of Nordic Walking and Recreational Walking to Improve Cardiorespiratory Capacity and Fitness in Older Adult Women. Cokorilo N, Ruiz-Montero PJ, González-Fernández FT, Martín-Moya R. J Clin Med. 2022 May 20;11(10):2900. doi: 10.3390/jcm11102900.

Effects of Two Short-Term Aerobic Exercises on Cognitive Function in Healthy Older Adults during COVID-19 Confinement in Japan: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial. Miyazaki A, Okuyama T, Mori H, Sato K, Kumamoto K, Hiyama A. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 May 19;19(10):6202. doi: 10.3390/ijerph19106202.

Effect of physical exercise on cognitive function after chemotherapy in patients with breast cancer: a randomized controlled trial (PAM study). Koevoets EW, Schagen SB, de Ruiter MB, Geerlings MI, Witlox L, van der Wall E, Stuiver MM, Sonke GS, Velthuis MJ, Jobsen JJ, Menke-Pluijmers MBE, Göker E, van der Pol CC, Bos MEMM, Tick LW, van Holsteijn NA, van der Palen J, May AM, Monninkhof EM; PAM study group. Breast Cancer Res. 2022 May 26;24(1):36. doi: 10.1186/s13058-022-01530-2.

Effects of Nordic walking in people with Parkinson’s disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Salse-Batán J, Sanchez-Lastra MA, Suarez-Iglesias D, Varela S, Ayán C. Health Soc Care Community. 2022 Sep;30(5):e1505-e1520. doi: 10.1111/hsc.13842. Epub 2022 May 20.

Nordic walking training in persons with Parkinson’s disease: Individualized prescription-A case series. Harro CC, Horak I, Valley K, Wagner D. Physiother Theory Pract. 2022 Apr 22:1-15. doi: 10.1080/09593985.2022.2063211. Online ahead of print.

Aerobic exercise in patients with haemophilia: A systematic review on safety, feasibility and health effects. Tomschi F, Ransmann P, Hilberg T. Haemophilia. 2022 May;28(3):397-408. doi: 10.1111/hae.14522. Epub 2022 Feb 28.

Samba, deep water, and poles: a framework for exercise prescription in Parkinson’s disease. Peyré-Tartaruga LA, Martinez FG, Zanardi APJ, Casal MZ, Donida RG, Delabary MS, Passos-Monteiro E, Coertjens M, Haas AN. Sport Sci Health. 2022;18(4):1119-1127. doi: 10.1007/s11332-022-00894-4. Epub 2022 Feb 17.

Margins of stability and trunk coordination during Nordic walking. Peyré-Tartaruga LA, Boccia G, Feijó Martins V, Zoppirolli C, Bortolan L, Pellegrini B. J Biomech. 2022 Mar;134:111001. doi: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2022.111001. Epub 2022 Feb 15.

Pole Walking Is Faster but Not Cheaper During Steep Uphill Walking. Giovanelli N, Mari L, Patini A, Lazzer S. Int J Sports Physiol Perform. 2022 Mar 22:1-7. doi: 10.1123/ijspp.2021-0274. Online ahead of print.

Aerobic exercise in patients with haemophilia: A systematic review on safety, feasibility and health effects. Tomschi F, Ransmann P, Hilberg T. Haemophilia. 2022 Feb 28. doi: 10.1111/hae.14522. Online ahead of print.

Impact of 12-Week Moderate-Intensity Aerobic Training on Inflammasome Complex Activation in Elderly Women. Gomarasca M, Micielska K, Faraldi M, Flis M, Perego S, Banfi G, Ziemann E, Lombardi G. Front Physiol. 2022 Feb 22;13:792859. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2022.792859. eCollection 2022.

Samba, deep water, and poles: a framework for exercise prescription in Parkinson’s disease. Peyré-Tartaruga LA, Martinez FG, Zanardi APJ, Casal MZ, Donida RG, Delabary MS, Passos-Monteiro E, Coertjens M, Haas AN. Sport Sci Health. 2022 Feb 17:1-9. doi: 10.1007/s11332-022-00894-4. Online ahead of print.

Margins of stability and trunk coordination during Nordic walking. Peyré-Tartaruga LA, Boccia G, Feijó Martins V, Zoppirolli C, Bortolan L, Pellegrini B. J Biomech. 2022 Feb 15;134:111001. doi: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2022.111001. Online ahead of print.

Biomechanical responses of Nordic walking in people with Parkinson’s disease. Leal-Nascimento AH, da Silva ES, Zanardi APJ, Ivaniski-Mello A, Passos-Monteiro E, Martinez FG, Rodrigo de Carvalho A, Baptista RR, Peyré-Tartaruga LA. Scand J Med Sci Sports. 2022 Feb;32(2):290-297. doi: 10.1111/sms.14095.

The effects of high-intensity interval training, Nordic walking and moderate-to-vigorous intensity continuous training on functional capacity, depression and quality of life in patients with coronary artery disease enrolled in cardiac rehabilitation: A randomized controlled trial (CRX study). Reed JL, Terada T, Cotie LM, Tulloch HE, Leenen FH, Mistura M, Hans H, Wang HW, Vidal-Almela S, Reid RD, Pipe AL. Prog Cardiovasc Dis. 2022 Jan-Feb;70:73-83. doi: 10.1016/j.pcad.2021.07.002.

Energetics and Mechanics of Steep Treadmill Versus Overground Pole Walking: A Pilot Study. Giovanelli N, Mari L, Patini A, Lazzer S. Int J Sports Physiol Perform. 2022 Jan 10:1-4. doi: 10.1123/ijspp.2021-0252. Online ahead of print.

Novel walking pole gait pattern improves activity in an older adult with chronic low back pain. Prost EL, Abbott CC, Dannecker EA, Willis BW. BMJ Case Rep. 2021 Dec 17;14(12):e245807. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2021-245807.

Nordic Walking Rather Than High Intensity Interval Training Reduced Myostatin Concentration More Effectively in Elderly Subjects and the Range of This Drop Was Modified by Metabolites of Vitamin D. Micielska K, Flis M, Kortas JA, Rodziewicz-Flis E, Antosiewicz J, Wochna K, Lombardi G, Ziemann E. Nutrients. 2021 Dec 8;13(12):4393. doi: 10.3390/nu13124393.

Walking Pole Gait to Reduce Joint Loading post Total Knee Athroplasty: Musculoskeletal modeling Approach. Mazumder O, Poduval M, Ghose A, Sinha A. Annu Int Conf IEEE Eng Med Biol Soc. 2021 Nov;2021:4605-4610. doi: 10.1109/EMBC46164.2021.9630849.

In vivo analysis of hip joint loading on Nordic walking novices. Palmowski Y, Popovic S, Schuster SG, Hardt S, Damm P. J Orthop Surg Res. 2021 Oct 14;16(1):596. doi: 10.1186/s13018-021-02741-7.

Process evaluation of a complex workplace intervention to prevent musculoskeletal pain in nursing staff: results from INTEVAL_Spain. Soler-Font M, Ramada JM, Merelles A, Amat A, de la Flor C, Martínez O, Palma-Vasquez C, Sancho C, Peña P, Bültmann U, van Zon SKR, Serra C. BMC Nurs. 2021 Oct 6;20(1):189. doi: 10.1186/s12912-021-00716-x.

Whole-Body EMS Superimposed Walking and Nordic Walking on a Treadmill-Determination of Exercise Intensity to Conventional Exercise. Verch R, Stoll J, Hadzic M, Quarmby A, Völler H. Front Physiol. 2021 Oct 4;12:715417. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2021.715417. eCollection 2021.

Effects of an unsupervised Nordic walking intervention on cognitive and physical function among older women engaging in volunteer activity. Nemoto Y, Sakurai R, Ogawa S, Maruo K, Fujiwara Y. J Exerc Sci Fit. 2021 Oct;19(4):209-215. doi: 10.1016/j.jesf.2021.06.002. Epub 2021 Jul 2.

The Influence of Nordic Walking on Spinal Posture, Physical Function, and Back Pain in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Pilot Study. Huang YH, Fang IY, Kuo YL. Healthcare (Basel). 2021 Sep 30;9(10):1303. doi: 10.3390/healthcare9101303.

Nordic Walking at Maximal Fat Oxidation Intensity Decreases Circulating Asprosin and Visceral Obesity in Women With Metabolic Disorders. Kantorowicz M, Szymura J, Szygula Z, Kusmierczyk J, Maciejczyk M, Wiecek M. Front Physiol. 2021 Sep 3;12:726783. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2021.726783. eCollection 2021.

Influence of Nordic Walking Training on Vitamin D Level in the Blood and Quality of Life among Women Aged 65-74. Podsiadło S, Skiba A, Kałuża A, Ptaszek B, Stożek J, Skiba A, Marchewka A. Healthcare (Basel). 2021 Sep 2;9(9):1146. doi: 10.3390/healthcare9091146.

The Impact of Nordic Walking on Bone Properties in Postmenopausal Women with Pre-Diabetes and Non-Alcohol Fatty Liver Disease. Du X, Zhang C, Zhang X, Qi Z, Cheng S, Le S. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021 Jul 16;18(14):7570. doi: 10.3390/ijerph18147570.

Diet, Probiotics and Physical Activity: The Right Allies for a Healthy Microbiota. Divella R, DE Palma G, Tufaro A, Pelagio G, Gadaleta-Caldarola G, Bringiotti R, Paradiso A. Anticancer Res. 2021 Jun;41(6):2759-2772. doi: 10.21873/anticanres.15057.

Trekking Poles to Aid Multiple Sclerosis Walking Impairment: An Exploratory Comparison of the Effects of Assistive Devices on Psychosocial Impact and Walking. Cohen ET, Huser S, Barone K, Barone DA. Int J MS Care. 2021 May-Jun;23(3):135-141. doi: 10.7224/1537-2073.2020-064. Epub 2021 Jun 21.

The Effects of Nordic Walking Compared to Conventional Walking on Aerobic Capacity and Lipid Profile in Women Over 55 Years of Age. Witkowska A, Grabara M, Kopeć D, Nowak Z. J Phys Act Health. 2021 Apr 21;18(6):669-676. doi: 10.1123/jpah.2020-0182. Print 2021 Jun 1.

Gait changes after supervised exercise training in patients with symptomatic lower extremity peripheral artery disease. Lanzi S, Boichat J, Calanca L, Aubertin P, Malatesta D, Mazzolai L. Vasc Med. 2021 Jun;26(3):259-266. doi: 10.1177/1358863X20984831.

Effects of a One-week Vacation with Various Activity Programs on Metabolism and Adipokines. Neumayr G, Engler C, Lunger L, Lechleitner P. Int J Sports Med. 2021 Jun;42(8):703-707. doi: 10.1055/a-1297-4669.

Non-pharmacologic interventions to treat apathy in Parkinson’s disease: A realist review. Mele B, Ismail Z, Goodarzi Z, Pringsheim T, Lew G, Holroyd-Leduc J. Clin Park Relat Disord. 2021 May 25;4:100096. doi: 10.1016/j.prdoa.2021.100096. eCollection 2021.

Exercise in patients with hip osteoarthritis – effects on muscle and functional performance: A randomized trial. Bieler T, Kristensen ALR, Nyberg M, Magnusson SP, Kjaer M, Beyer N. Physiother Theory Pract. 2021 May 6:1-12. doi: 10.1080/09593985.2021.1923096. Online ahead of print.

Prolonged unsupervised Nordic walking and walking exercise following six months of supervision in adults with overweight and obesity: A randomised clinical trial. Muollo V, Rossi AP, Milanese C, Zamboni M, Rosa R, Schena F, Pellegrini B. Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis. 2021 Apr 9;31(4):1247-1256. doi: 10.1016/j.numecd.2020.12.012.

Anomalous origin of right coronary artery with interarterial course revealed by effort angina: case report. Regragui H, El Boussaadani B, Benajiba C, Bouhdadi H, Wazaren H, Cherti M. Pan Afr Med J. 2021 Apr 6;38:327. doi: 10.11604/pamj.2021.38.327.26266. eCollection 2021.

Nordic Walking and Walking in Parkinson’s disease: a randomized single-blind controlled trial. Granziera S, Alessandri A, Lazzaro A, Zara D, Scarpa A. Aging Clin Exp Res. 2021 Apr;33(4):965-971. doi: 10.1007/s40520-020-01617-w.

Accuracy of Wearable Devices for Measuring Heart Rate During Conventional and Nordic Walking. Baek S, Ha Y, Park HW. PM R. 2021 Apr;13(4):379-386. doi: 10.1002/pmrj.12424.

The Effect of Nordic Walking Training with Poles with an Integrated Resistance Shock Absorber on the Body Balance of Women over the Age of 60. Marciniak K, Maciaszek J, Cyma-Wejchenig M, Szeklicki R, Stemplewski R. Healthcare (Basel). 2021 Mar 2;9(3):267. doi: 10.3390/healthcare9030267.

The Influence of Nordic Walking on Isokinetic Trunk Muscle Endurance and Sagittal Spinal Curvatures in Women after Breast Cancer Treatment: Age-Specific Indicators. Hanuszkiewicz J, Woźniewski M, Malicka I. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021 Mar 2;18(5):2409. doi: 10.3390/ijerph18052409.

Twenty-one sports activities are recommended by the European Knee Associates (EKA) six months after total knee arthroplasty. Thaler M, Khosravi I, Putzer D, Hirschmann MT, Kort N, Tandogan RN, Liebensteiner M. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. 2021 Mar;29(3):694-709. doi: 10.1007/s00167-020-06400-y.

Estimation of energy expenditure of Nordic walking: a crossover trial. Baek S, Ha Y. BMC Sports Sci Med Rehabil. 2021 Feb 19;13(1):14. doi: 10.1186/s13102-021-00240-0.

The Effects of Walking or Nordic Walking in Adults 50 Years and Older at Elevated Risk of Fractures: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Rodrigues IB, Ponzano M, Butt DA, Bartley J, Bardai Z, Ashe MC, Chilibeck PD, Thabane L, Wark JD, Stapleton J, Giangregorio LM. J Aging Phys Act. 2021 Feb 11;29(5):886-899. doi: 10.1123/japa.2020-0262.

Hip Arthroplasty with Increased Expectancy. Thiele K, Hube R. Z Orthop Unfall. 2021 Feb;159(1):91-97. doi: 10.1055/a-1019-8053.

Comparison of Three Physical-Cognitive Training Programs in Healthy Older Adults: A Study Protocol for a Monocentric Randomized Trial. Torre MM, Langeard A, Hugues N, Laurin J, Temprado JJ. Brain Sci. 2021 Jan 6;11(1):66. doi: 10.3390/brainsci11010066.

[Personalization of Nordic walking programs in a sanatorium-type medical center]. Nezhkina NN, Kuligin OV, Spivak EM, Kizeev MV. Vopr Kurortol Fizioter Lech Fiz Kult. 2021;98(4):42-48. doi: 10.17116/kurort20219804142. In Russian.

Quality of life in patients with diabetic polyneuropathy with increased physical activity. Bakaliuk TG, Маkarchuk NR, Stelmakh HO, Martynyuk LP, Strashko YY, Levytska LV. Wiad Lek. 2021;74(6):1302-1306.

[Nordic walking in winter as the multitask training in patients with Parkinson’s disease]. Guseva OV, Zhukova NG. Zh Nevrol Psikhiatr Im S S Korsakova. 2021;121(1):38-42. doi: 10.17116/jnevro202112101138. In Russian.

Are Trekking Poles Helping or Hindering Your Hiking Experience? A Review. Hawke AL, Jensen RL. Wilderness Environ Med. 2020 Dec;31(4):482-488. doi: 10.1016/j.wem.2020.06.009.

Effects of diet combined with Nordic walking or walking programme on weight loss and arterial stiffness in postmenopausal overweight and obese women: The Walking and Aging Verona pilot study. Rossi AP, Muollo V, Fantin F, Masciocchi E, Urbani S, Taylor M, Caruso B, Milanese C, Capelli C, Schena F, Zamboni M. Eur J Prev Cardiol. 2020 Dec;27(19):2208-2211. doi: 10.1177/2047487319877712.

Are Trekking Poles Helping or Hindering Your Hiking Experience? A Review. Hawke AL, Jensen RL. Wilderness Environ Med. 2020 Dec;31(4):482-488. doi: 10.1016/j.wem.2020.06.009.

Spatiotemporal characteristics of locomotor adaptation of walking with two handheld poles. Obata H, Ogawa T, Yokoyama H, Kaneko N, Nakazawa K. Exp Brain Res. 2020 Dec;238(12):2973-2982. doi: 10.1007/s00221-020-05954-0.

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1. NPW engages more than 90% of Body Muscles

2. NPW versus walking without poles:

  • Percentage of Body Muscles involved
  • Calorie Burning Rate per hour

3. Nordic Walking — “Whole body sport”. Interview by Dr. Henrike Ottenjahn

  • Bachfischer K. MMW Fortschr Med. 2005 Jul 21;147(29-30):19. Germany

4. Comparison of kinematic and kinetic parameters between the locomotion patterns in Nordic walking, walking and running

  • Kleindienst FI, Michel KJ, Schwarz J, Krabbe B.
  • Sportverletz Sportschaden. 2006 Mar;20(1):25-30. German. PMID: 16544213

5. Effects of Nordic Pole Walking on Functional Capacity in Patients with Moderate to Severe Heart Failure

  • ML Keast, R Reid, M Slovinec-D’Angelo, L McDonnell Minto Prevention & Rehabilitation Centre, Ottawa, 2010

1. Cardiovascular System

1.1. Influence on Coronary Diseases and Peripheral Vascular Diseases

  • (Walter et.al.,1996; Stroughton, Larkin, Karawan, 1992 Parkatti et.al.,2003; Koskinen et.al.,2003 and other)

1.2. Influence on High Blood Pressure: How NPW decreases High Blood Pressure

  • (Ishikawa et. al.,1999. C. Diehm, 2007)

2. Musculoskeletal System

2.1. Diminishing Neck- and Shoulder Tension/Pain

  • (Anttila et al., 1999)

2.2. Chronic Joint Problems, Load Reduction on Lower Back, Hips and Knees

  • (Mayo Clinic, 2008), Wilson, 2001), Young-Hoo Kwon, 2008)

2.3. Less Impact on Joints: Mechanics of Pole Walking in subject with Chronic Knee Problem

  • (Willson et al.,2001; Young-Hoo Kwon, Lori R. Bolt, and Jackun Shi Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana, USA, 2008)

2.4. Nordic Poles immediate improve Walking Distance in Patients with Intermitted Claudication

  • (C. Oakleya , I. Zwiersk, G. Tew, J.D. Beard and J.M. Saxton, 2008. University, Sheffield, S10 2BP, UK Sheffield Vascular Institute, Northern General Hospital, Sheffield, S5 7AU, UK)

2.5. Posture Enhancement & Segmental Stability

  • (Koskinen et al., 2003)

2.6. Lower Trunk and Posture Control

  • (Koskinen et al., 2003)

2.7. Functional Benefits

  • (Parkatti et al.,2002)

2.8. Gait modification strategies for altering medial knee joint load: A systematic review.

  • Simic M, Hinman RS, Wrigley TV, Bennell KL, Hunt MA.
  • Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). 2010 Oct 27.

2.9. Does moderate-to-high intensity Nordic walking improve functional capacity and pain in fibromyalgia? A prospective randomized controlled trial.

  • Mannerkorpi K, Nordeman L, Cider A, Jonsson G.,Arthritis Res Ther. 2010 Oct 13;12(5):R189

2.10. Supervised and non-supervised Nordic walking in the treatment of chronic low–back pain: a single blind randomized clinical trial.

  • Hartvigsen J, Mors¸ L, Bendix T, Manniche , BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2010 Feb 10;11:30.PMID: 20146793

2.11. Inverse dynamic analysis of the lower extremities during Nordic Walking, Walking, and Running.

  • Stief F, Kleindienst FI, Wiemeyer J, Wedel F, Campe S, Krabbe B.
  • J Appl Biomech. 2008 Nov;24(4):351-9.PMID: 19075304

2.12. Nordic walking–is it suitable for patients with fractured vertebra?

  • Wendlova J. Bratisl Lek Listy. 2008;109(4):171-6.PMID: 18814434

2.13. Nordic walking and chronic low back pain: design of a randomized clinical trial.

  • Mors¸ L, Hartvigsen J, Puggaard L, Manniche C.
  • BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2006 Oct 2;7:77.PMID: 17014731

3. Effect on Metabolism

3.1. Effects of nordic walking and exercise in type 2 diabetes mellitus: a randomized controlled trial.

  • Gram B, Christensen R, Christiansen C, Gram J. .Clin J Sport Med. 2010 Sep;20(5):355-61

3.2. Most effective for Diabetes: Influence of NPW on Medication with Patients suffering Diabetes Type 2

  • (Nischwitz et.al. Medical University Munich, 2006; Clinic Bad Wiessee,2006)

3.3. Physical Activity and Diabetes Type 2 (Siegmund,T., Clinicum Munich, Clinicum Bogenhausen, 2009)

3.4. Physiological responses to nordic walking, walking and jogging.

  • Schiffer T, Knicker A, Hoffman U, Harwig B, Hollmann W, Struder HK.
  • Eur J Appl Physiol. 2006 Sep;98(1):56-61. Epub 2006 Jun 24.PMID: 16799817

3.5. Energy expenditure and comfort during Nordic walking with different pole lengths.

  • Hansen EA, Smith G J Strength Cond Res. 2009 Jul;23(4):1187-94.PMID: 19528847

3.6. Effects of Nordic Walking and exercise in type 2 diabetes mellitus: a randomized controlled trial.

  • Gram B, Christensen R, Christiansen C, Gram J.
  • Clin J Sport Med. 2010 Sep;20(5):355-61

3.7. Weight Loss through Nordic Pole Walking

  • (Heikkila et al., 2004)

3.8. Intensity of Nordic Walking in young females with different peak O2 consumption.

  • Jurimae T, Meema K, Karelson K, Purge P, Jurimae J.
  • Clin Physiol Funct Imaging. 2009 Sep;29(5):330-4. Epub 2009 May 14.PMID: 19469785.

3.9. Changes in level of VO2max, blood lipids, and waist circumference in the response to moderate endurance training as a function of ovarian aging.

  • Hagner W, Hagner-Derengowska M, Wiacek M, Zubrzycki IZ.
  • Menopause. 2009 Sep-Oct;16(5):1009-13.PMID: 19339904

3.10. Energy cost and pole forces during Nordic walking under different surface conditions.

  • Schiffer T, Knicker A, Dannl R, Struder HK.
  • Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2009 Mar;41(3):663-8.PMID: 19204583

3.11. Field testing of physiological responses associated with Nordic Walking.

  • Church TS, Earnest CP, Morss GM. Res Q Exerc Sport. 2002 Sep;73(3):296-300.PMID: 12230336

4. Mental Health

4.1. NPW and Depression

  • (C. Willemer, K. Krüger, F.C. Mooren, K. Volker, S. Knecht and A. Floel, University of Muenster,Germany, 2008

4.2. Comparing exercise in Parkinson’s disease–the Berlin LSVTBIG study.

  • Ebersbach G, Ebersbach A, Edler D, Kaufhold O, Kusch M, Kupsch A, Wissel J.
  • Mov Disord. 2010 Sep 15;25(12):1902-8.PMID: 20669294

4.3. Nordic walking improves mobility in Parkinson’s disease.

  • van Eijkeren FJ, Reijmers RS, Kleinveld MJ, Minten A, Bruggen JP, Bloem BR.
  • Mov Disord. 2008 Nov 15;23(15):2239-43.PMID: 18816697

4.4. Physical activity of depressed patients and their motivation to exercise: Nordic Walking in family practice.

  • Suija K, Pechter U, Kalda R, T hepµld H, Maaroos J, Maaroos HI.
  • Int J Rehabil Res. 2009 Jun;32(2):132-8.PMID: 19065108

4.5. Effects of exercise on aerobic capacity and fatigue in women with primary Sjogren’s syndrome.

  • Strombeck BE, Theander E, Jacobsson LT.
  • Rheumatology (Oxford). 2007 May;46(5):868-71. Epub 2007 Feb 17.PMID: 17308315

4.6. Physiological and perceptual responses to Nordic walking in obese middle-aged women in comparison with the normal walk.

  • Figard-Fabre H, Fabre N, Leonardi A, Schena F.
  • Eur J Appl Physiol. 2010 Apr;108(6):1141-51. Epub 2009 Dec 20

5. Respiratory

5.1. Nordic Walking improves daily physical activities in COPD: a randomized controlled trial.

  • Breyer MK, Breyer-Kohansal R, Funk GC, Dornhofer N, Spruit MA, Wouters EF, Burghuber OC, Hartl S.
  • Respir Res. 2010 Aug 22;11:112.PMID: 20727209

5.2. Up to 25% more oxygen uptake with Pole Walking than walking without poles

  • (Pocari et al, 1997. Morss et al, 2001. Jordan, 2001)

6. Rehabilitation

6.1 Effects of Walking Poles on Shoulder Function in Breast Cancer Survinors

  • (L. K. Sprod, S.N. Drum, A.T. Bentz, S.D. Carter, C.M. Schneider University of Northern Colorado, Rocky Mountain Cancer Rehabilitation Institute, Greeley, Colorado, 2005)

6.2. Effects of Nordic Walking training on exercise capacity and fitness in men participating in early, short-term inpatient cardiac rehabilitation after an acute coronary syndrome — a controlled trial.

  • Kocur P, Deskur-Smielecka E, Wilk M, Dylewicz P.
  • Clin Rehabil. 2009 Nov;23(11):995-1004. Epub 2009 Sep 28

6.3. Questions on “Whole body sport kind with drive”. Nordic walking after disk prolapse

  • Bachfischer K, Modersohn-Meyer G, Niederhuber H, Schluter J.
  • MMW Fortschr Med. 2005 Sep 22;147(38):16, 18. German.

6.4. Effect of different walking aids on walking capacity of patients with post stroke hemiparesis.

  • Allet L, Leemann B, Guyen E, Murphy L, Monnin D, Herrmann FR, Schnider A.
  • Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2009 Aug;90(8)

6.5. Sports activity after total hip resurfacing.

  • Banerjee M, Bouillon B, Banerjee C, Bathis H, Lefering R, Nardini M, Schmidt J.
  • Am J Sports Med. 2010 Jun;38(6):1229-36. Epub 2010 Mar 11.PMID

6.6. Nordic walking. Also suitable in rehabilitation

  • Heinz M. Sportverletz Sportschaden. 2003 Jun;17(2):55. German.

7. Pregnancy

7.1. Physical activity in pregnancy and in breast-feeding period in obese mothers

  • Korsten-Reck U. Z Geburtshilfe Neonatol. 2010 Jun;214(3):95-102. Epub 2010 Jun 23. German

8. Nordic Pole Walking for Seniors

8.1. Nordic walking: a new form of physical activity in the elderly

  • Turk Z, Vidensek S, Micetic Turk D.
  • Acta Med Croatica. 2007;61 Suppl 1:33-6. Croatian. PMID: 18949923

8.2. Factors predicting dynamic balance and quality of life in home-dwelling elderly women.

  • Karinkanta S, Heinonen A, Sievanen H, Uusi-Rasi K, Kannus P.
  • Gerontology. 2005 Mar-Apr;51(2):116-21.PMID: 15711078

8.3. Influence of NPW on functions important to everyday life for the elderly

  • (Parkatti et al., 2002)

More Research Summary

Health Benefits of Nordic Walking:  A Systematic Review
Includes 41 studies. Tschentscher, 2013

Back Pain

Supervised and non-supervised Nordic walking in the treatment of chronic low back pain a single blind randomized clinical trial.
For pain, disability, and patient specific function the supervised Nordic walking group generally faired best however no statistically significant differences were found. Hartvigisen et al., 2010

Neck Pain

Health benefits of Nordic walking: a systematic review.
A study by Henkel et al. (2008) found effect of selected prevention concepts on functional health of persons with nonspecific chronic recurrent neck pain. Observed a reduced in unspecific, chronic neck pain and increased quality of life Tschentscher et al., 2013

Knee Joints

Effects of walking poles on lower extremity gait mechanics.
There were differences in kinetic variables between walking with and without poles. The use of walking poles enabled subjects to walk at a faster speed with reduced vertical ground reaction forces, vertical knee joint reaction forces, and reduction in the knee extensor angular impulse and support moment, depending on the poling condition used. Willson et al., 2001

Changes in in vivo knee contact forces through gait modification
The results of this study suggest that an optimal configuration of bilateral hiking poles may significantly reduce both medial and lateral compartment knee forces in individuals with medial knee osteoarthritis.  Kinney et al., 2013

Effects of Walking Technique on Knee Joint Loading – OA
Dynamic knee joint loading is effected by the walking pole technique adopted.  Decrease in dynamic knee joint loading was observed with participants with OA when poles were held away from the body and a downward force was applied  similar to the ACTIVATORTM poles walking technique.
Bechard et al., 2015 (unpublished) University of Western Ontario

Effects of Nordic walking and walking on spatiotemporal gait parameters and ground reaction force
Compared with the walking group, the Nordic walking group showed an increase in cadence, stride length, and step length, and a decrease in stride time, step time, and vertical ground reaction force.
Park et al. 2015

Hip OA

In hip osteoarthritis, Nordic walking is superior to strength training and home-based exercise for improving function.
Generally, improvements in functional performance were greater after NW compared with HBE and ST at all follow-up time points. Furthermore, NW was superior to HBE for improving vigorous physical activity and to both ST and HBE for improving mental health. These data suggest that NW is the recommended exercise modality compared with ST and HBE.  Bieler et al., 2016

Stroke

Six-Week Nordic Treadmill Training Compared with Treadmill Training on Balance, Gait, and Activities of Daily Living for Stroke Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
After 6 weeks of training, balance, gait, and ADL improved significantly in both groups, but NTT was associated with greater improvements compared to TT for all 3 measures. Kang et al., 2016

Parkinson’s Disease

Impact of physical exercise on reaction time in patients with Parkinson’s disease-data from the Berlin BIG Study.
Supervised physical exercise with Lee Silverman Voice Treatment-BIG or Nordic walking is associated with improvement in cognitive aspects of movement preparation. Ebersbach et al., 2014

Effects of a flexibility and relaxation programme, walking, and nordic walking on Parkinson’s disease.
Assessment after completion of the training showed that pain was reduced in all groups, and balance and health-related quality of life were improved. Nordic walking was superior to the flexibility and relaxation programme and walking in improving postural stability, stride length, gait pattern and gait variability. Reuter et al., 2011

Nordic walking improves mobility in Parkinson’s disease.
These preliminary findings suggest that Nordic walking could provide a safe, effective, and enjoyable way to reduce physical inactivity in PD and to improve the quality of life. A large randomized clinical trial now appears justified. van Eijkeren et al., 2008

Nordic Pole Walking, Gait Pattern and Postural Control in Parkinson’s Diease.
Based on the results, 16 self-directed sessions of NW can help improve certain gait spatial-temporal characteristics as well as some aspect of the gait pattern kinetics, especially at the knee. Moreover it seems that a 16 sessions (45 minutes per session) or even longer practice period is necessary for NW beginner, in order to gain perfect technique and restore gait to a more normal pattern than novice. Zhou, 2016 Thesis University of Ottawa, unpublished

Nordic walking Injuries

Nordic Pole Walking Injuries – Nordic Walking Thumb as Novel Injury Entity
Nordic walking is safe.  The most frequent injury in Nordic walking is a distortion of the ulnar collateral ligament of the thumb after a fall which the poles acts as hypomochlium.  Modifying the construction of the Nordic Walking pole handle, avoiding holding onto the pole in the event of a fall, as well as education could be preventive measures.  Knobloch et al., 2006 Translated

Comments on the Urban Poles from Dr. Knobloch, 2014.  “The Urban poles appear light with a good grip. The hand design of the grip offer even more support and thus, provide safety. The hand piece and length adjustments are convenient. Overall, the chance to suffer a Nordic walking thumb is probably reduced with your urban poles, especially among patients with Diabetes; with a potential impairment of balance and proprioception”.  Prof. Dr. med. Karsten Knobloch

Diabetes

Effects of Nordic Walking and Pilates exercise programs on blood glucose and lipid profile in overweight and obese postmenopausal women in an experimental, nonrandomized, open-label, prospective controlled trial
Exercise training in accordance with the NW model causes statistically and clinically more significant changes in glucose and basic blood lipid levels than do Pilates and dietary intervention alone. Hagner-Derengowska et al., 2015

Effects of Nordic walking on cardiovascular risk factors in overweight individuals with type 2 diabetes, impaired or normal glucose tolerance.
Nordic walking improved anthropometric measurements and exercise capacity. However, unsupervised Nordic walking may not provide a sufficient increase in exercise intensity to achieve ultimate health-promoting benefits on the cardiovascular parameters assessed in this study, particularly for those with disturbed glucose regulation. Fritz et al., 2013

Effects of Nordic walking on health-related quality of life in overweight individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus, impaired or normal glucose tolerance.
Quality of sleep and BMI were improved for participants with normal glucose tolerance after 4 months of Nordic walking, with little or no musculoskeletal pain as compared with control subjects. Fritz T et al., 2011

Physical activity in pregnancy and in breast-feeding period in obese mothers.
Considering common recommendations for training, as well as careful measures and contraindications, a moderate individual training to maintain physical and psychic fitness is desirable. Many kinds of sports like jogging, Nordic walking, swimming and cycling, for example, can be carried out in a pregnancy without any risks and furthermore promote the health of the future mother and child. Korsten-Reck et al, 2010

Health Benefits of Nordic walking: a systematic review.
Nordic walking exerts beneficial effects on resting heart rate, blood pressure, exercise capacity, maximal oxygen consumption, and quality of life in patients with various diseases and can thus be recommended to a wide range of people as primary and secondary prevention. Tschentscher, 2013

12 weeks’ aerobic and resistance training without dietary intervention did not influence oxidative stress but aerobic training decreased atherogenic index in middle-aged men with impaired glucose regulation.
Nordic walking decreased prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and MetS score. Improved lipid profile remained a predictor of decreased MetS score only in NW group and it seems that Nordic walking has more beneficial effects on cardiovascular disease risks than RT training.  Venojärvi M et al., 2013

Older Adults

Short-term and long-term effects of Nordic Walking training on balance, functional mobility, muscle strength and aerobic endurance among Hungarian community-living older people: a feasibility study.
Balance, functional mobility and aerobic endurance significantly improved in the Nordic walking group.  This study showed that Nordic Walking is a simple, well–tolerated and effective physical activity for older people in Hungary. Viraq et al., 2014

Effect Of Walking Poles On Dynamic Gait Stability on the Elderly
Texas Women’s University study, which concluded that walking poles provided increased gait stability at both preferred and fast speed. Kwon, Silver, Ryu, Yoon, Newton & Shim, 2006 (unpublished)

Effects of Nordic walking compared to conventional walking and band-based resistance exercise on fitness in older adults.
While all modes of exercise improved various components of fitness, Nordic walking provided the best well-rounded benefits by improving upper-body strength, cardiovascular endurance, and flexibility. Therefore,  Nordic walking is recommended as an effective and efficient mode of concurrent exercise to improve overall functional fitness in older adults. Takeshima et al., 2013

Analysis of balance and gait pattern with Stepscan Pedway© technology, in individuals 80 years and older before and after a 12 week Nordic walking program with Activator poles©.
Hypothesis -Participants in the Activator Pole© Nordic walking program are expected to improve their balance as measured by the BERG balance test and static sway measured by Stepscan Pedway©. It is also projected that they will improve their gait speed and step length. In improving these variables it is estimated that they will improve their functional autonomy and also decrease their number of falls.  Ferland & Robbins, 2017 current study Ste-Anne’s hospital)

The effects of pole walking on health in adults: A systematic Review
he effects of pole walking (PW) on cardiorespiratory fitness were most extensively studied. The most frequently examined psychosocial measure was quality of life. All studies reported at least one beneficial effect of PW compared with the control group. The results of this systematic review indicate that PW  programs have some beneficial effects on both physical and psychosocial health in adults with and without clinical conditions.  Fritschi et al., 2012.

Fibromyalgia

Does moderate-to-high intensity Nordic walking improve functional capacity and pain in fibromyalgia? A prospective randomized controlled trial.
Moderate-to-high intensity aerobic exercise by means of Nordic walking twice a week for 15 weeks was found to be a feasible mode of exercise, resulting in improved functional capacity and a decreased level of activity limitations. Pain severity did not change over time during the exercise period. Mannerkorpi et al., 2010

COPD

Nordic Walking Using Activator Poles Increases Exercise Tolerance in Individuals with COPD Compared to Healthy Controls
VO2, energy expenditure, heart rate, and minute ventilation were all significantly higher for participants using Activator poles.  However, the distance walked during a 6MWT was shorter when patients with COPD walked with ACTIVATORTM poles.  Dyspnea and leg fatigue ratings were similar walking with or without poles.
Antoniades, Lim, Gandhi, Montambault, Ricci & Spahija, 2015 (ongoing study) McGill University

Fall Prevention

Exploring the Effects of a Health Care Provider Led Physical Activity and Education Program on the Physical and Psychological Indicators of Fall Prevention and Subsequent Independent Living
The study was conducted with older adults in rural settings who used walking poles and participated in exercises over a 9-week time span.  The exercise sessions were based on the “Otago Falls Prevention Program” but modified with using the ACTIVATORTM poles. There was a significant change in the following tests: Timed Up and Go, Stride Length, and Single Leg Stork Stand, which are all indicators for falls risk.
Gwynn-Brett & Hudec, 2017 (ongoing study) Cape Breton University

Cancer

Stick Together: A Nordic Walking group intervention for breast cancer survivors.
Patients’ vitality had improved, whereas perceived shoulder symptom severity and limitations in daily activities had decreased. Goniometric data indicated that range of motion (forward flexion, abduction and external rotation) of the affected shoulder improved significantly within ten weeks of training. Results from this explorative study suggest that Nordic Walking is a feasible and potentially valuable tool in the rehabilitation of patients with breast cancer. Fischer et al., 2015

The effects of pole walking on arm lymphedema and cardiovascular fitness in women treated for breast cancer: a pilot and feasibility study.
The results indicated a significant reduction in total arm volume of the lymphedema arm, in lymphedema absolute volume and lymphedema relative volume. Significant decreases of heart rate and rating of tightness in the arm were found.  Jönsson & Johansson, 2014

Effects of selected forms of physical activity on body posture in the sagittal plane in women post breast cancer treatment.
Balanced postural changes were only identified among the women in the Nordic Walking group. Hanuszkiewicz et al., 2014

The effects of walking poles on shoulder function in breast cancer survivors. 
The data suggest that using a walking pole exercise routine for 8 weeks significantly improved muscular endurance of the upper body. Sprod et al., 2005

Exercise effects on HRV in cancer patients
Exercise enhances cardiac autonomic regulation of tumour patients during and after acute treatment. Because of the association of higher HRV-parameters and prolonged survival in cancer patients, improvement in autonomic control may be an important goal of exercise. Niederer et al., 2012

Cardiac

Randomized trial of Nordic walking in patients with moderate to severe heart failure.
A study published by the University of Ottawa Heart Institute, concluded that walking with poles is superior to standard cardiac rehab, even for those following mild to moderate heart failure.  Keast et al., 2013

The influence of systematic pulse-limited physical exercise on the parameters of the cardiovascular system in patients over 65 years of age.
Systematic NW physical exercise limited by the pulse had a beneficial effect on the physical performance of elderly persons as assessed with main parameters.  A short 6-week programme of endurance exercises had a hypotensive effect in elderly persons over 65 years of age.  Chomiuk et al., 2013

Effects of Nordic walking training on exercise capacity and fitness in men participating in early, short-term inpatient cardiac rehabilitation after an acute coronary syndrome–a controlled trial.
Nordic Walking may improve exercise capacity, lower body endurance and coordination of movements in patients with good exercise tolerance participating in early, short-term rehabilitation after an acute coronary syndrome. Kocur et al., 2009

Changes in level of VO2max, blood lipids, and waist circumference in the response to moderate endurance training as a function of ovarian aging.
A 12-week moderate intensity Nordic walking program was administered to the cohort. Significant decreases in BMI, TF, LDL, TGs, and WC and increase in HDL in premenopausal and perimenopausal women indicate the outstanding role the appropriately chosen moderate endurance training may play in the quality of daily life in perimenopausal women. Hagner et al., 2009

Obesity

The influence of a ten-week Nordic walking training-rehabilitation program on the level of lipids in blood in overweight and obese postmenopausal women.
After 10 weeks of NW rehabilitation it was observed that participants lost weight and their body mass index dropped. Rehabilitation carried out according to the NW model resulted in statistically significant changes in basic lipids in blood which, considerably increased the percentage of persons who achieved the recommended level of blood lipids. Obese persons were characterised by a smaller rehabilitation weight loss. Hagner-Derengowska M et al, 2015

Efficacy of Nordic walking in obesity management
NW activity in obese women allows an increase in exercise intensity and adherence to a training program without increasing the perception of effort leading to enhanced aerobic capacity. Figard-Fabre H1 et al., 2011

Physiological and perceptual responses to Nordic walking in obese middle-aged women in comparison with the normal walk.
Use of NW (Nordic walking) poles increased physiological responses at a given speed but decreased RPE (rate of perceived exertion) in comparison with W (walking) during inclined level. Moreover, this is the first study showing that a learning period of NW technique permitted to enhance the difference between EC (energy cost) with NW poles versus the Walking condition and to decrease the RPE when using NW poles. Thus, although it requires a specific learning of the technique, the NW might be considered like an attractive physical activity with an important public health application. Figard-Fabre et al, 2010.

Health benefits of Nordic walking: a systematic review.
The current analysis revealed that with regard to short- and long-term effects on heart rate, oxygen consumption, quality of life, and other measures, Nordic walking is superior to brisk walking without poles and in some endpoints to jogging.  Nordic walking exerts beneficial effects on resting heart rate, blood pressure, exercise capacity, maximal oxygen consumption, and quality of life in patients with various diseases and can thus be recommended to a wide range of people as primary and secondary prevention.  Tschentscher et al., 2013

Mental Health

Physical activity of depressed patients and their motivation to exercise: Nordic Walking in family practice.
Nordic walking increased the patients’ physical activity and improved their mood. Suija et al., 2009

Acute effects of a single bout of moderate exercise on psychological well-being in patients with affective disorder during hospital treatment.
A self-paced but supervised single Nordic walking session seems to be effective in improving acute psychological well-being in patients with affective disorder. Stark et al., 2012

Menopause

Effects of Nordic Walking and Pilates exercise programs on blood glucose and lipid profile in overweight and obese postmenopausal women in an experimental, nonrandomized, open-label, prospective controlled trial.
Exercise training in accordance with the NW model causes statistically and clinically more significant changes in glucose and basic blood lipid levels than do Pilates and dietary intervention alone. Hagner-Derengowska et al., 2015

Dementia

Clinical Feasibility Project: Outdoor Walking Program with ActivatorTM Poles and Their Impact on Balance, Muscle Strength, the Risk of Falls and Bone Health of Veteran Inhabitants in a Long-Term Care Centre
Outdoor walkers with dementia used ACTIVATORTM poles in an innovative geriatric rehabilitation approach. These data suggest that the use of ACTIVATORTM walking poles contribute to the strengthening of the upper limbs while improving balance and could reduce the risk of falls from users. Bone density, walking speed and strength in the lower limbs were maintained, which is clinically significant for individuals in this population.
Chassé, Germain, Ferland & Gareau, 2015 (ongoing) Hospital Ste-Anne

Peripheral Arterial Disease

Nordic poles immediately improve walking distance in patients with intermittent claudication.
These results show that Nordic Pole Walking (NPW) immediately enables patients with intermittent claudication to walk further with less pain, despite a higher workload. NPW might also be a useful exercise strategy for improving the cardiovascular fitness of patients with intermittent claudication. Oakley et al., 2008