engleski

Trunk and shoulder musculature activity in nordic walking using different pole lengths

Nordic Walking is an effective way of walking with poles. The length of poles influences the arm swing, and also the possibility of powerfull placing the pole. By making the use of arm movements, and with a proper Nordic Walking technique, almost all muscles of the body are trained (INWA Instructor manual, 2004.). To aquire proper technique, poles of adequate length nave to be used. Experts recommend choosing pole length in the same way as in alpine skiing, according to the formula: body height x 0.68. However, it has not been scientifically proven yet what is the optimal pole length, i.e. in what measure different lengths of the pole influence the intensity of muscular contractions in walkers in command of the basic Nordic Walking technique. This research was aimed at determining to what measure a change in pole length influences the intensity of muscle contractions in some muscles of the trunk and shoulder, as well as to what measure is it possible to stimulate hand activity technique by walking without poles. The results have shown that, in general, there are no significant differences in the intensity of muscular contractions when walking without poles and simulating hand activity, as well as with three different pole lengths, in two participants.

Nordic Walking; pole lengths; EMG; trunk and shoulder musculature

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