Why Staying Active Can Feel Challenging
If you live with osteoporosis, have had a spine fracture, or notice your upper back rounding forward, staying active can sometimes feel intimidating.
Walking and exercise can support your bones, muscles, balance, and independence. At the same time, it is understandable to worry about falling, pain, or getting hurt.
How Activator® Poles Are Being Studied
Researchers are exploring safe, practical ways to help people move with more confidence. One ongoing study, led by Kontulainen at the University of Saskatchewan, is looking at whether Nordic walking with Activator® poles can improve key areas of health and daily function.
- Mobility and walking ability
- Physical function
- Posture
- Quality of life
What the Study Involves
Participants are assigned to either a Nordic walking group or a wait-list control group. Those in the walking group complete three walking sessions each week for three months.
Sessions may take place in a mall or remotely at home, making the program more flexible and accessible.
Reducing Fall Risk
Activator® poles may help reduce one of the biggest fracture risks for people with osteoporosis: falls. With each step, the poles add extra points of contact with the ground, creating a wider and more stable base of support.
This added stability can support:
- Better balance and walking rhythm
- Improved coordination and step control
- Greater confidence for people who feel unsteady, worry about falling, or are returning to activity after a fracture
When walking feels steadier, slips, trips, and sudden losses of balance may be less likely. This matters because many osteoporosis-related fractures happen after a fall.
Supporting Safer Posture
Activator® poles may also help prevent fractures by encouraging safer posture during movement. This is especially important for people with osteoporosis, a previous vertebral fracture, or increased upper-back rounding.
Bending forward, looking down, or walking with a rounded spine can place extra stress on the back. Using poles can gently cue the body to:
- Lift through the chest
- Keep the shoulders relaxed
- Look forward while walking
- Move with a taller, more upright posture
A more upright position may reduce strain on the spine and help each step feel more controlled.
Building Strength for Everyday Movement
Pole walking can also support fracture prevention by building the strength and mobility needed for daily life. Instead of relying only on the legs, Activator® poles engage the arms, shoulders, core, back, hips, and legs.
Stronger muscles can improve balance reactions, stepping control, and confidence with everyday tasks such as:
- Getting up from a chair
- Climbing stairs
- Shopping or carrying light items
- Walking outdoors
- Moving around the community
These abilities matter because staying strong and mobile can reduce the chance of falls. Lowering fall risk is one of the most practical ways to help prevent fractures.
Making Movement Feel Safer and More Comfortable
Activator® poles may make walking feel more comfortable and less intimidating. By sharing some of the effort through the upper body, the poles may reduce the feeling of pressure through the hips, knees, and lower back for some walkers.
This can make it easier to keep moving regularly. Just as importantly, when people feel steadier and more secure, they may be less likely to avoid activity because of fear.
Regular, safe movement helps maintain strength, balance, posture, and independence—all important parts of a fracture-prevention plan.
Moving Forward with Confidence
Walking with Activator® poles is more than just a walk. It is a simple, practical way to build confidence, support better posture, and move with greater stability.
By engaging the arms, shoulders, core, and legs, pole walking turns everyday movement into a gentle full-body activity. It may help people maintain strength, mobility, and independence while reducing the fear that can make activity feel difficult.
As research continues, Activator® pole walking shows promise as a safe, low-impact option for people who want to stay active, reduce fall risk, protect their bones, and keep moving forward with confidence. The future is looking bright!
