ABSTRACT
In Japan, Nordic walking (NW) has two style walking method. For one thing, the poles are used to push against the ground towards the back of the body (diagonal style: DIA). The other one, the poles put on forward and using like a cane (defensive style: DEF). This study aims to clarify differences between the two Nordic walking (NW) styles. The subjects were 12 community-dwelling middle-aged and older adults (mean age: 62.4 ± 7.8 years). All of subjects were tested to perform NW in both style for 12 minutes walking around the park. Walking distance, speed, heart rate (HR), energy expenditure (EE) and electromyogram (EMG) amplitude of the upper and lower limbs using surface EMG were assessed. A pole with a built-in load cell measured force used to push the pole into the ground (pole force), pole contact time, and pole impulse. Distances and speed in DIA was significantly higher than DEF. Significant difference in muscle activity was observed between DIA and DEF in the triceps brachii only. EE of DEF was significantly higher than DIA. Poling force and pole impulse in DIA was significantly higher than DEF. These results indicate that when prescribing NW for health promotion, it should be done according to each characteristic in DIA or DEF.