Hack your walk with Nordic Walking Guy’s 3 rules:
- Walk with purpose!
- Be consistent!
- Remember everything counts but not everything matters!
What is an optimal exercise for people with Parkinson’s disease? A study comparing different kinds of exercise to see which one worked well came to some conclusions.
Main point: “Nordic walking was superior to the flexibility and relaxation programme and walking in improving postural stability, stride length, gait pattern and gait variability.”
More about it:
- 3 programs compared: “The present study investigated the effects of a flexibility and relaxation programme, walking, and Nordic walking (NW) on walking speed, stride length, stride length variability, Parkinson-specific disability (UPDRS), and health-related quality of life.”
- At the end of the study:
- “…pain was reduced in all groups, and balance and health-related quality of life were improved.”
- “…walking, and Nordic walking improved stride length, gait variability, maximal walking speed, exercise capacity at submaximal level, and PD [Parkinson’s disease] disease-specific disability on the UPDRS [Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale – the most widely applied rating instrument for Parkinson disease] in addition.”
- “Nordic walking was superior to the flexibility and relaxation programme and walking in improving postural stability, stride length, gait pattern and gait variability.”
Why it matters:
- Patients no doubt have a finite amount of energy and must make the most of it with their exercise program.
- The full body, low impact nature of Nordic walking makes it an efficient use of time.
- At Nordic walking samplers, I’ve demonstrated supplemental exercises that illustrate how:
- Nordic walking poles meet the needs of people who are concerned with balance.
- Nordic walking poles can also facilitate flexibilty exercises.
- The Afoot Fusion advanced Nordic walking clinic includes instruction on supplemental exercises, and the 8-session Afoot Flow course is an opportunity to put those lessons into practice.
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Join Nordic Walking Groups on Facebook to share tips, ideas, and experiences. Beginners and those exploring Nordic walking interact with certified instructors and experienced Nordic walkers in a friendly, affirming, and cheerful environment.
Nordic Walking Guy’s first rule is “Walk with purpose!” Walking with purpose includes living a life with meaning. Buy Your Unfinished Business: Find God in Your Circumstances, Serve Others in Theirs to learn more about faith, calling, and resilience.
