Nordic walking is Finnish Nordic walking. It is quite effective for athletes who need regular endurance training. Moreover, this is a sport that has practically no restrictions on age and health. Walking like this is especially beneficial for people over 40.
The benefits of Nordic walking lie in several factors. For example, it has a positive effect on the cardiovascular system, which leads to an improvement in the functioning of not only the heart, but also the lungs. Walking with poles helps to maintain muscle tone not only in the lower body - scientists have proven that with Nordic walking, at least 90% of all muscles in the body are trained. Also, walking with ski poles can help you lose weight if you are overweight. Unlike regular walking, it burns up to 45% more calories. For problems with the neck and shoulders, as well as for poor posture, this type of training is ideal. People suffering from pathology of the musculoskeletal system, with the help of these exercises, will have a chance to return to a full life. The sticks help you move at a faster pace without the need for much effort. Also, the pressure exerted on the joints will be much less than during normal walking. In 2001, a study was published that proved that Nordic walking was beneficial for women with a sedentary lifestyle and those with hypertension. Within 24 weeks, they were able to reduce systolic blood pressure and weight. At the same time, they did only 9,700 steps a day. With a three-hour walk per week, women have a 30-40% reduction in the risk of cardiovascular pathology. In a study of 11,000 men, it was found that regular exercise for an hour, performed at least 5 times a week, reduced the risk of heart attack in half. Thanks to such walking, the load on the joints is reduced, unlike jogging or aerobics, the risk of developing osteoporosis is significantly reduced. In addition, there is practically no chance of falling when walking like this. In a study of more than 30,000 men and women of different age groups, a decrease in the likelihood of hip fracture was found. 24 studies have shown that there is a link between bone mineral density and aerobic exercise. It has been proven that walking for half an hour with poles a couple of times a week is enough to harden bone tissue.
