Nordic Walking

Nordic Walking is an endurance sport, in which the fast walking is supported by the use of two sticks to the rhythm of the steps. It can be viewed as a younger version of the popular sport walking.

History

Nordic walking is defined as walking with specially designed poles health. Although the train, joggers, walkers and cross-country skiers had used the same concept decades earlier as a training method, Mauri repo was the first to Nordic Walking defined as a sport. His work " Hiihdon lajiosa " (translation: " A part of cross-country skiing workout methodic " ) appeared in 1979, the concept of Nordic walking was developed based on the summer training plan for skiers.. This concept included the first explanations and instructions about the sport and exercises, anatomical and psychological reasons why one should pursue this sport.

In 1997, the first of sticks Exel were produced and brought to market. The technical term Nordic walking originated in 1999 and became known internationally through a promotional leaflet in the same year.

Generally

The use of Walking with poles is a training which, in addition, the muscles of the upper body is claimed. Nordic walking is equally suitable for untrained people for ambitious athletes. The joints are, however, contrary to conflicting assertions, more stressed than normal walking. According to a study by sports physicians of the hospital for sports injuries in Hellersen the oxygen consumption (and unforeseen movements that endurance exercise ) during Nordic walking with good form about 5 % higher than the conventional walking, if this is carried out without additional upper body movements.

Movement

Nordic Walking is a sport with cyclic motion. The right floor has always ground contact when the left heel touches down, the left stick when the right heel touches down. The sticks are made ​​close to the body. The respective floor is inserted obliquely backwards; the use of the poles should always be below the body center of gravity, ie in the step position on the vertical axis of the body. There are types of training, in which the hand is constantly being opened and closed: If the floor after, the rear opens the hand; is the stick out in front of the body and joined the push-off into the ground, it closes again.

Equipment

Nordic walking poles are made from lightweight materials such as carbon fiber, carbon fiber or aluminum mixture. CFRP dampen vibrations better than aluminum and is more stable. A removable protective rubber on the pole tips additionally absorbs shock and reduces noise on asphalt. Hand loops are primarily the power transmission from the arm on the floor and in the second place to protect against slipping.

A too short or too long stick is a hindrance when a functional movement execution. For the length of the sticks following rule of thumb can be recommended: Height ( in cm) x 0.66 = pole length. We recommend that if in doubt select a slightly shorter pole length than calculated, so that there is no avoidance movements in the shoulder joints. Many sticks can be adjusted by telescopic tubes in length.

The requirements of a running shoe and a walking shoe are similar. In comparison to jogging shoes, the heel area and the entire sole are more rounded in the walking shoe and are intended to provide a liquid unrolling.

Criticism

• See different voices in the sport of Nordic walking a triggered by equipment manufacturers trend.
• Additional criticism is the perception that the majority of Nordic Walking performing people do not master the technology and just go " with abrasive sticks " walk or run the sport with a low intensity of. However, just noticed positively by medical personnel that many people move at least so ever.

German Championship

In October 2010, found in the Upper Swabian Altshausen the German Nordic Walking Championship held in the half marathon with 194 participants.

Nordic walking parks

Large-scale Nordic walking parks offer beginners and advanced now across Europe the opportunity to exercise their recreational sports. The most particularly scenic and signposted route network with varying levels of difficulty can also be use by hikers and runners.