Today, the popularity of this type of physical activity, such as Nordic walking with poles, is growing all over the world - the benefits and harms of this exercise are the subject of controversy between its supporters and opponents. Its main advantage is, in fact, the complete absence of contraindications - Scandinavian walking is useful for both young and elderly people, as well as those for whom intense physical activity is contraindicated.
However, there is also an opinion about the uselessness of this lesson - supposedly, it does not help to improve physical fitness or strengthen health, and is only a fashionable trick that lovers of new experiences have gladly picked up. And this is its main harm. Let's take a closer look at this issue and also find out if Nordic pole walking is beneficial or harmful.
The benefits of Nordic walking with sticks
Our opinion about Nordic walking with sticks is as follows - the benefits and harms of this exercise are absolutely incomparable. The healing qualities of this sport really help to improve health and keep the body fit, especially when other types of stress are contraindicated.
It's not hard to guess who invented this sport - he was born in the Scandinavian countries. Local skiers decided not to stop training in the summer, and, armed with sticks, boldly went out on the summer running tracks. And they got so carried away that after 75 years the movement swept the whole world, and books and scientific dissertations are being written about its benefits and harms.
Who is allowed to practice Nordic pole walking?
Before we look at how Nordic pole walking is good for women and men, let's give you a list of who can do it - you'll be impressed!
- Adult women and men;
- Children;
- To old people;
- Those recovering from injury or surgery;
- For professional athletes to warm up before the main workout;
- Patients suffering from diseases of the cardiovascular system;
- Obese people;
- Patients who have had a heart attack or stroke (with normal physical activity);
- People with back pain or other problems with the musculoskeletal system;
- Patients who are contraindicated in intense physical activity.
As you can see, most of these categories most often find themselves in the list of contraindications in other sports. That is, any other sport will only harm them. Nordic walking benefits even those who are not allowed to exert too much.
Other names for this exercise are Nordic pole walking, Nordic, Swedish, Norwegian, Canadian or Finnish.
Benefits for women
So, let's continue to study Finnish walking with poles, their benefits and harms, and start with a positive effect on the female body:
- During the exercise, most of the main muscles of our body are involved, so it actively contributes to weight loss;
- As a result of the flow of oxygen, cells receive additional nutrition - the skin becomes firm, radiant, elastic;
- Together with sweat, slags and toxins come out, the body is cleansed;
- Leaves "dangerous" cholesterol, strengthens the heart muscle;
- Posture is corrected, gait becomes seductive;
- The work of the hormonal system is normalized, due to which the emotional background, mood improves, depression goes away.
- If you are wondering whether Swedish walking will be beneficial or harmful to pregnant women, feel free to grab a stick and go out to the park. If you do not have complications, bleeding or the threat of interruption, a Scandinavian walk will only be useful for you. We recommend that you listen carefully to the sensations, do not overexert yourself and take short breaks. In general, if you feel good, then take the opportunity and move more. Sometimes you can even ride a bike. But not always.
Benefits for men
Do you think Scandinavian walking is good for men or should they pay attention to the "more serious" exercise?
Even if a man wants to engage in more active sports, nothing prevents him from simultaneously practicing our classes - there will definitely be no harm. Let's take a look at the benefits of Nordic pole walking for men:
- Such a walk perfectly relieves stress and tension after a hard day at work;
- Nordic walking is an excellent antidepressant;
- It strengthens joints and ligaments, such mobility significantly reduces the likelihood of developing rheumatological diseases;
- Experts note its benefits for potency;
- Due to the increased supply of oxygen to the blood cells, the quality of the sperm composition improves, which means that the reproductive function is stabilized.
Benefits for the elderly
Let's take a look at the benefits and harms of Nordic walking with sticks for older people - should they be addicted to it?
- Doing this sport is absolutely not traumatic - you will not fall, not twist your leg, or damage your joints;
- A person keeps the muscles of the whole body in good shape - both the upper and lower extremities;
- The cardiovascular system is strengthened;
- Due to the supply of oxygen to the brain, mental clarity is maintained longer;
- The load on the knee joints is minimal;
- You can exercise during the rehabilitation period after exacerbations of chronic diseases;
- The body will remain flexible for longer, and the body will be hardy;
- The work of the immune system improves and the process of aging of the skin and the body slows down.
If you want to know if Nordic ski pole walking is beneficial and harmful to your joints, we will answer that it helps rather than harms. The only thing - do not get carried away with exercise during periods of exacerbations. Such physical activity perfectly strengthens bones, improves joint mobility, elasticity of ligaments. And when you get tired of walking with sticks, you can try to walk on the spot. The exercise is also not difficult, but it helps a lot to keep fit.
The harm of Nordic walking with sticks
Like any sport, there are also contraindications here, but they are minimal and are associated with exacerbations or acute course of certain conditions and diseases.
So, what is the harm of Scandinavian walking, in which cases it is in no way allowed to do it:
- During pregnancy, with bleeding, if there is a risk of premature birth or early miscarriage;
- During an exacerbation of diseases of the cardiovascular system or musculoskeletal system;
- After abdominal operations;
- During an acute pain symptom;
- In the acute phase of ARVI, especially against the background of an increase in body temperature;
- With anemia;
- In a state of constantly high pressure;
- Glaucoma;
- Acute heart or respiratory failure;
- During respiratory system diseases (acute phase).
Please note that if you did not find your problem in this list, but you have doubts about whether you can walk with sticks so as not to harm yourself, we recommend that you go to a doctor for a consultation.
Well, we have considered the pros and cons of Nordic walking with sticks, and now, let's figure out how to make the exercise do the least harm:
- Carefully study the correct movement technique - we recommend watching video materials;
- Choose comfortable clothes and good shoes - they should not press, be too heavy, uncomfortable;
- It is important to choose the right and right sticks for you. Take them by the top of the handles and place them on your feet. If the height is correct, your elbows will be bent at a 90 ° angle;
- Before starting a workout, be sure to warm up, and in the process, watch your breathing;
- Find out the recommended load level for you and never exceed it, so as not to harm yourself;
We hope that after reading this material, the question "is there any benefit from Scandinavian walking" is no longer in front of you. Feel free to go to the store and buy sticks.
By the way, this sport can be easily turned into a family sport, in which both the young and the older generation can participate!
