Lower and upper extremity loading in nordic walking in comparison with walking and running

Area of Science:

• Biomechanics
• Sports Medicine
• Exercise Physiology

Background:

• Nordic walking (NW) is a popular physical activity.
• Understanding its biomechanical impact compared to walking (W) and running (R) is crucial for injury prevention.
• Previous research has not fully elucidated the injury risks associated with NW across different gaits.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the biomechanical effects of Nordic walking (NW) with walking (W) and running (R).
• To assess upper and lower limb injury risks across the three activities.
• To provide evidence-based recommendations for safe Nordic walking practice.

Main Methods:

• 24 Nordic walking instructors participated in controlled walking, Nordic walking, and running trials on artificial turf.
• Measurements included foot pronation, ground reaction forces, and shock wave transmission to the wrist.
• Data were collected at controlled speeds ranging from 5 to 8.5 km/h.

Main Results:

• Nordic walking exhibited higher loading rates, horizontal forces, and pronation velocities compared to walking.
• Wrist accelerations in Nordic walking reached up to 7.6 times gravitational acceleration.
• Compared to running, Nordic walking showed significantly lower loading rates (36%) and pronation velocities (59%).

Conclusions:

• Nordic walking is a lower-impact alternative to running but imposes greater stress on lower limbs and wrists than walking.
• High repetitive wrist shocks in NW may lead to upper extremity overuse injuries.
• Preventive upper limb exercises and shock-absorbing poles are recommended for Nordic walkers.