Among the many amateur sports, Nordic walking stands out for its originality. The essence of such walking consists in hiking with the use of special poles that look like ski poles. This relatively new sport has quickly become popular and is widely spread among those seeking to lead a healthy lifestyle.
Nordic walking in European culture
Scandinavian walking, which is also called Nordic or Finnish walking, as an independent kind of amateur sports, officially appeared a decade and a half ago. The idea to combine walking crossings with support on sticks came to the mind of Finnish skiers, who used traditional ski equipment when moving.
It turned out that summer training, which simulates skiing, significantly increases the results of athletes during winter competitions.
The initiative of professional athletes was quickly picked up by recreational walking enthusiasts. Scandinavian or Nordic walking quickly spread throughout Scandinavia and Europe. This applied sport gained particular popularity in Germany, where special tracks for such walking appeared.
Today the name "Nordic walking" is patented, universal manuals for this type of movement have been developed. The improvement of ski poles, which are now comfortable to hold in the hand, the creation of special simulators and other inventions have given a new impetus to the development of walking with poles. Sections and clubs of fans of this sport are organized everywhere.
The benefits of Nordic walking
Studies by German scientists have revealed the high health potential of Scandinavian walking. When walking with support on sticks, the muscles of the arms, shoulder girdle and upper back are perfectly trained, while during normal walking or running, these muscle groups are almost not involved. Leaning on sticks, the athlete reduces the load on the legs, hip and knee joints. This allows us to recommend Nordic walking to those who suffer from diseases of the joints and musculoskeletal system.
Pole walking uses almost all major muscle groups, which burns as many calories as, for example, boxing or exercising. That is why Nordic walking is recommended for those who have a tendency to be overweight and want to lose weight quickly.
Regular training develops coordination of movements and a sense of balance, as well as markedly improves posture. Unlike skiing in the snow, you don't have to fall frequently here. Nordic walking brings comfort to your walking workout, even when you are climbing uphill. This walking is versatile and suitable for people of all ages and fitness levels.
Contraindications to this type of physical activity can only be acute infectious diseases or exacerbation of chronic ailments.
Scandinavian walking technique
Nordic walking has its own rules and techniques. From the outside, it is very similar to traditional walking. Arms, legs and body move synchronously and freely. During movement, it is recommended to put your foot on the heel, and then transfer your body weight to your toes. Movements should be smooth, you should not jerk your limbs and jerk with sticks.
Before starting the movement, one of the arms is slightly bent at the elbow and pulled slightly forward. In this case, the stick should be at a certain angle to the ground. The second hand bent at the elbow should be kept at the level of the hip joint, directing the stick back. If you are teaching in a group, take precautions and maintain a distance so that the pointed stick does not injure other athletes.
It is important to choose the correct walking pace. Walking with sticks should be more intense than normal walking. The width of the stride will be determined by the range of motion. Make sure that the load on the musculoskeletal system and the upper spine is not excessive. As soon as you realize that you are starting to choke, stop and take a break. After a pause, the movement can be continued at a slower pace.
There are different options for the technique of steps. It is advisable to alternate between fast and slow walking, shallow and wide strides. Train the body to work in a pulsed mode, alternating different intensity of the load. When walking, try to put your foot firmly on the ground, but not spank. The walking technique is largely determined by how correct the sticks are in height. If they are too long, they may need to be shortened. Correctly selected inventory and equipment will make your hiking trip not only useful, but also comfortable.
