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Utilisation of Nordic walking in physiotherapy
VOLMANOVÁ, Martina
Nordic walking is modern exercise activity using special poles when walking. It is quadrupedal locomotion, when all limbs are in steady manner and so the stress and tension of muscles are equally distributed, which is beneficial to human posture. The use of any exercise activity in current modern and accelerated world is very beneficial and positive. Nordic walking is one of the exercise activities suitable to increase body control, for maintenance and enhancement of physical fitness. Nordic walking can be also used as one of the physiotherapeutic activities helping in motor system treatment. The theoretical section of the thesis briefly describes historical origin of Nordic waking. Further we can find the definition of basic equipment which is an integral part of this sport. Technique of the sport is described in every detail. The most frequent faults made against the technique of Nordic walking that people should avoid, are also outlined in the theoretical section of the thesis. There is suggested appropriate intensity of walking for each age group, suitable terrain, and also weather conditions. Major part of the theoretical section contains information about main effects of Nordic walking on single systems and about benefits resulting out of it. The aim of the Bachelor thesis is to outline problems and appropriate technique of Nordic walking and to suggest using this sport in physiotherapy. To reach the aims, there was used qualitative research, using 3 individuals 2 men and 1 woman. All 3 individuals suffered from chronic pain of various parts of the spine. There was taken history during first meeting and done kinesiological analysis. After that they were instructed in detail to master correct technique of Nordic walking. Participants were walking with poles twice or three times a week for 8 - 9 weeks. They were recording the distance and average speed into the tables they received during entry examination. There was also done kinesiological analysis again during the final examination. Participants also underwent unstructured interview to provide feelings and observations of whole investigation. These results were subsequently recorded into simple charts and tables that made easier data interpretation of the investigation. Findings based on participants? subjective assessment of back pain showed that the most remarkable changes concerned back pain that participants suffered from. All participants considered the investigation as positive and very relieving of the pain. Kinesiologic analysis showed apparent changes of the range of joints, namely in shoulder and hip joints. Participants themselves confirmed feeling better shape of the muscles and in general better physical fitness. Participants also noticed better body control; various asymmetries became symmetric what caused bilateral balancing of the tonus in various muscle segments. The discussion section of the thesis contains comparison of the results from this thesis and findings of Bronislav Kracmar?s two studies. He concluded that Nordic walking is not such beneficial exercise but also has a disadvantage. He found, using EMG, that when Nordic walking, there is present decreased activity of gluteus medius muscle which decreases demands for lateral stabilization of the pelvis unlike common bipedal walking. His investigation brought also positive result which is increased activity of latissimus dorsi muscle and deltoideus muscle which helps to stabilize shoulder joint. Thanks to the support of upper limb, diagonal muscle chains can interconnect as far as to opposite lower limb and so movement of high quality can be developed. Regarding this investigation, Kracmar recommends Nordic walking as proper physical activity relieving back pain. Nordic walking can be used in physiotherapy as an exercise activity to prevent motor system disorders as well as internal disorders. It can be also used as supplemental therapy during special cure of these disorders.
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