Research Proves The Health Benefits of Urban Poling

Nordic walking – also referred to in the literature below as fitness walking, walking poles, Power poles, pole walking and exerstriding.

In many European countries, physicians have begun to prescribe Nordic walking for certain patients, and in Germany the health benefits are believed so great that some health insurance pays for Nordic walking instruction.

Below are brief summaries of some of the clinical trials and studies conducted on walking poles.  For more detailed information on any of this research, feel free to contact us.

Urban Poling Inc. encourages research evaluation of its products. For example, a study being initiated at the University of Western Ontario with the department of Kinesiology and Physiotherapy will evaluate the effect of walking with poles on knee joint loading in people with osteoarthritis.

A current study underway at Wilfrid Laurier University in the Kinesiology department is investigating the effectiveness of Urban Poling for residents of long-term care facilities.  Participant’s balance, overall fitness, grip strength, and self-perceived health will be evaluated before and after an 8-week Urban Poling program.

Cardiovascular Health Benefits

• Studies by Hendrickson (1993), Pocari (1997), Robaidek (1989) (Thesis), and Laukkanen (1998)(unpublished) show that Nordic walking causes heart rates and oxygen consumption to increase to higher levels than with regular walking.Porcari JP, Hendrickson TL, Walter PR, Terry L, Walsko G.

The physiological responses to walking with and without Power Poles on treadmill exerciseResearch Quarterly for Exercise and Sport 1997 Jun; 68(2): 161-6

….“Power Poles can increase the intensity of walking at any given speed and, thus, may provide additional training benefits to walkers”…

Abstract

Calorie Expenditure

• K. Williams, R. Landsman, R.M. Otto, FACSM, and J. Wygand Human Performance Lab Adelphi University – Garden City, NY

The Metabolic And Hemodynamic Response To The Use Of Exerstriders Vs Handweights During Walking
Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise – May 1997, Volume 29, Issue 5

…”Exerstriders or handweights create approximately 20% greater calorie expenditure compared to standard walking”…

Abstract

• Rodgers CD, VanHeest JL, Schachter CL. Department of Physical Education and Exercise Science, Michigan State University

Energy expenditure during submaximal walking with Exerstriders
Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1995 Apr;27(4):607-11

“Exerstriding provides a means to increase caloric expenditure during submaximal walking”…

Abstract

• The Cooper Institute of Dallas conducted a study which showed that caloric expenditure increased by 20% when Nordic walking was added to regular walking (Church et al. 2002).

Muscular Endurance

• A. Karawan, J.P. Porcari, N.K. Butts, A.M. Postmus, L. Stoughton, & J. Larkin.

Effects Of 12 Weeks of Walking or Exerstriding on Upper Body Strength and Endurance
Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise Supplement to VOL. 24, NO.5, May 1992

…” Exerstriding can result in substantial increases in muscular endurance, they may not provide sufficient stimulus to increase strength.”…

Abstract

Less Stress On Knees

• Young-Hoo Kwon, Lori R. Bolt, and Jaekun Shim Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana, USA (unpublished)

Mechanics of Pole Running in Subjects with Chronic Knee Problems

… “the use of the telescope-style poles significantly reduced the knee flexion during the swing phase and significantly increased maximum hyperextension of the hip”…

PDF (opens in new window)

• Bert H. Jacobson, Jennifer Kaloupek, and Doug B. Smith Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma USA

Load Carriage Force Production Comparison Between Standard and Anti-shock Trekking Poles
Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise Supplement to VOL. 24, NO.5, May 1992

…”hiking poles reduces the overall stress on the limbs by transferring the weight to the arms and ultimately to the poles”…

Abstract

• According to a study by Wilson et al. (2001), using walking poles enabled subjects to walk at a faster speed with reduced vertical ground reaction forces, vertical knee joint reaction forces and supported movement.

Willson, John; Torry, Michael R.; Decker, Michael J.; Kernozek, Thomas; Steadman, J. R.

Effects of walking poles on lower extremity gait mechanics

• Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise. 33(1):142-147, January 2001

“… to determine whether walking with poles reduces loading to the lower extremity during level over ground walking”…

Abstract

Posture Improvements

• A study by Afman. Baker & Miersma (2005) (unpublished) showed that older adults in Nordic walking sessions had improved stability, mobility and posture.  Westmont College.

Psychological Benefits

• Another study at the University of Wisconsin by Stoughton (1992) (Thesis) measured the psychological profiles before and after 12 weeks of walking and Exerstrider training in adult women. This study concluded that the Exerstrider group showed significant improvements in depression, anger, vigour, fatigue, total mood disturbances and total body-cathexis scores compared to the walking group. Also, during Exerstriding, the use of both arms and legs working in opposition to each other (cross-patterning) may have stimulated a greater number of nerves and muscles, creating a more rhythmical and tranquil exercise.

Breast Cancer Rehabilitation

• A study published at the University of Northern Colorado (2005) measured the effects of walking with poles on the shoulderfunction of breast cancer survivors. The results showed that using walking poles for eight weeks significantly improved muscular endurance of the upper body in breast cancer patients following treatment.

Lisa K. Sprod, MS, Scott N. Drum, MS, Ann T. Bentz, PhD, Susan D. Carter, MD, and Carole M. Schneider, PhD at the University of Northern Colorado

The Effects of Walking Poles on Shoulder Function in Breast Cancer Survivors
Integrative Cancer Therapies, Vol. 4, No. 4, 287-293 (2005)

“…to determine the effects of walking pole use on shoulder function in female breast cancer survivors…”

PDF (Opens in a new window)

Abstract

Arterial Disease

• A study in the Journal of Medicine and Science in Sport and Exercise showed that people with arterial disease who practiced Nordic walking benefited from increased cardiovascular fitness, increased exercise tolerance, lower perceived leg pain during moderate-intensity walking, improved skeletal muscle strength and endurance, and better weight control.  Patients with favourable responses in 4 to 8 weeks maintained an exercise program, thus potentially avoiding the need for surgery.  (Collins et. al, 2003).

Collins, E. G., W. E. Langbein, C. Orebaugh, C. Bammert, K. Hanson, D. Reda, L. C. Edwards, and F. N. Littoov

PoleStriding Exercise and Vitamin E for Management of Peripheral Vascular Disease
Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise. 35(3):384-393, March 2003.

“…PoleStriding effectively improved the exercise tolerance and perceived QOL of patients with PAD…”

Abstract

Parkinson’s Disease

• Published in the Journal of Vascular Surgery, a study on pole striding with patients with Parkinson’s disease showed a significant positive effect in terms of exercise tolerance, perceived functional independence and quality of life (Baatile et. al, 2000).

Wheelchair Users

• Tom Rutlin of Exerstrider & James Rimmer, Ph.D., (director of the National Research Center on Physical Activity) (unpublished) are studying how walking poles can offer an alternative means of propelling their wheelchairs and an effective way of exercising large upper body muscles.