Development of Functional Grip for Nordic Pole and Effects of the Grip on Physiological Intensity and Wrist Acceleration during Nordic Walking

• Published in: Walking Research Vol. 26; pp. 19 - 27
• Main Authors: Nagatsu, Koki, Takamiya, Keisuke, Mochiduki, Koyo, Sugiyama, Koji, Toyoda, Hijiri
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Japanese
• Published: Japanese Academy of Sciences in Walking 2023; 日本ウォーキング学会
• Subjects: EMG; Nordic Walking; Oxygen Uptake; Stride Length; Wrist Acceleration; ストライド; ノルディックウォーキング; 手首への衝撃; 表面筋電図; 酸素摂取量
• ISSN: 2758-8904
• DOI: 10.60255/walkingresearch.26.0_19

The purpose of this study was to develop the attachable special grip for the Nordic walking（NW） pole and to propose a new NW style with this grip. The seven men, skilled Nordic walker, participated in this study as a subject. All experiments were conducted on a treadmill at 60, 70, 80 and 90m/min under three conditions, Walking （W）, Nordic Walking （NW）, NW with developed grip （GR）. The developed grip can pull down with the elastic rubber tube from the top of the pole during Nordic Walking. The maximum acceleration on the left wrist of GR was significantly lower than that of NW （p<0.05）. Step length was higher for W, GR, and NW, in that order. It was suggested that NW with this grip would induce a reduction in upper and lower limb strain. Oxygen uptake and heart rate were higher GR and NW than W at all speeds （p<0.01/p<0.001）. It was concluded that GR can recruit upper limb muscle groups by pulling the grip and increase energy expenditure without long stride length. This grip is designed universally and useful for the elderly people, lower fitness people and even any Nordic walkers.