Mechanical energy patterns in nordic walking: comparisons with conventional walking.

BACKGROUND Several studies have demonstrated the positive effects of physical activity on skeletal muscle mass and muscle strength in women with osteoporosis. However, the impact of Nordic walking training on sarcopenia-related parameters in women with low bone mass remains unknown. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of 12 weeks of Nordic walking training on skeletal muscle index, muscle strength, functional mobility, and functional performance in women with low bone mass. MATERIALS AND METHODS The participants were 45 women, aged 63-79 years, with osteopenia or osteoporosis. The subjects were randomly assigned either to an experimental group (12 weeks of Nordic walking training, three times a week) or to a control group. Skeletal muscle mass and other body composition factors were measured with octapolar bioimpedance InBody 720 analyser. Knee extensor and flexor isometric muscle strength were measured using Biodex System 4 Pro™ dynamometers. This study also used a SAEHAN Digital Hand Dynamometer to measure handgrip muscle strength. The timed up-and-go test was used to measure functional mobility, and the 6-minute walk test was used to measure functional performance. RESULTS Short-term Nordic walking training induced a significant increase in skeletal muscle mass (P=0.007), skeletal muscle index (P=0.007), strength index of the knee extensor (P=0.016), flexor (P<0.001), functional mobility (P<0.001), and functional performance (P<0.001) and a significant decrease in body mass (P=0<006), body mass index (P<0.001), and percent body fat (P<0.001) in participants. Regarding handgrip muscle strength, no improvement was registered (P=0.315). No significant changes in any of the analyzed parameters were observed in the control group. CONCLUSION Overall, short-term Nordic walking training induces positive changes in knee muscle strength and functional performance in women with low bone mass. This finding could be applied in clinical practice for intervention programs in women with osteopenia and osteoporosis.

https://www.dovepress.com/getfile.php?fileID=33828

Effects of short-term Nordic walking training on sarcopenia-related parameters in women with low bone mass: a preliminary study.

Purpose: Comprehensively and systematically map peer-reviewed studies of hippotherapy published over 30 years, from 1980 through 2018, from the perspective of a phased scientific approach t...

Hippotherapy: a systematic mapping review of peer-reviewed research, 1980 to 2018.

Multi-body sensor data fusion to evaluate the hippotherapy for motor ability improvement in children with cerebral palsy

In this paper it is presented a brief introduction about the Micro ElectroMechanical Systems (MEMS) sensors technology and their application and use in healthcare and sport activity in the literature. In these two fields, our research group’s applications will then be analyzed with the support of a numerical tool able to replicate human body behavior performing a sport activity, in particular Nordic Walking and Alpine Skiing. The main goal was to obtain a comparison between the numerical and experimental results, in order to validate of the numerical tool and to better understand the sport gesture. The integrated monitoring systems enable a new interpretation of the sport gesture providing the athletes the maximum freedom of movement and allowing them to better perform in their natural training environment.

MEMS sensors for sport engineer applications

Purpose: Nordic Walking (NW) is a sport that has a number of benefits as a rehabilitation method. It is performed with specially designed poles and has been often recommended as a physical activity that helps reduce the load to limbs. However, some studies have suggested that these findings might be erroneous. Study aim. The aim of this paper was to compare the kinematic, kinetic and dynamic parameters of lower limbs between Natural Walking (W) and Nordic Walking (NW) at both low and high walking speeds. Methods: The study used a registration system, BTS Smart software and Kistler platform. Eleven subjects walked along a 15-metre path at low (below 2 m⋅s –1 ) and high (over 2 m⋅s –1 ) walking speeds. The Davis model was employed for calculations of kinematic, kinetic and dynamic parameters of lower limbs. Results: With constant speed, the support given by Nordic Walking poles does not make the stroke longer and there is no change in pelvic rotation either. The only change observed was much bigger pelvic anteversion in the sagittal plane during fast NW. There were no changes in forces, power and muscle torques in lower limbs. Conclusions: The study found no differences in kinematic, kinetic and dynamic parameters between Natural Walking (W) and Nordic Walking (NW). Higher speeds generate greater ground reaction forces and muscle torques in lower limbs. Gait parameters depend on walking speed rather than on walking style.

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Biomechanical parameters in lower limbs during natural walking and Nordic walking at different speeds.

https://www.degruyter.com/view/j/physio.2013.21.issue-1/physio-2013-0019/physio-2013-0019.pdf

Thermovision techniques for evaluation of the effect of hippotherapy on changes in lower limb temperature in children with cerebral palsy (CP) – a pilot study

Grzegorz Żurek

Papers

Biomechanical parameters in lower limbs during natural walking and Nordic walking at different speeds.

Thermovision techniques for evaluation of the effect of hippotherapy on changes in lower limb temperature in children with cerebral palsy (CP) – a pilot study

Evaluation of precise motor skills of a hand in elderly women representing different levels of physical activity