Nordic Walking - A New Form of Adapted Physical Activity (A Literature Review)

Abstract

Purpose.�thepurposeofthisstudywastoanalyzescientificevidenceontheeffectsthatNordicWalking�(NW)�hasonthehumanbody.� Basic procedures.�Acomprehensivesearchofcomputerdatabases�(MEDLINE/PubMed,�cINAHL,�andSPORtDiscus)�wasconducted� toidentifyrelevantEnglishandPolishstudiesonNWthatwerepublishedfrom�1995�to�2009�andbasedonscientificresearch.�Main findings.�Atotalof�26�studiesmettheinclusioncriteria.�themajorityofstudies�(12)�discussedphysiologicalissues,�elevenstudieswere� dedicatedtoNWasaformofrehabilitation� (includingonecasestudy),�andthreestudiesfocusedonbiomechanicalissuespresentin� NW.�Conclusions.�NotallofthewidelypromotedbenefitsofNWwereconfirmedintheresultsofthefoundscientificstudies.�Often� analyzedissuesdidnotprovidesufficientexplanation.�thereisalargediscrepancyintheresultsofphysiologicalresponsesduringNW� inavarietyofconditions�(onatreadmillwith/withoutgrade;�field� -�uphill/downhill/horizontallevelterrain).�theresultsofstudies� analyzingtheeffectsofNWtrainingasaformofrehabilitationparticularlyintheareasofcardiologyconfirmedthepositiveaspectsof� includingNWtowardsapatient'srehabilitationafteracutecoronarysyndrome,�withintermittentclaudication,� andaftercoronaryartery� disease,�oraftermyocardialinfarction.�contrarytopopularbeliefandpreviouslydonestudies,�recentresearchhasshownthatNWdoes� notreducetheloadingofthekneejoint.