Find Your New Sport: Nordic Walking

The benefits of exercise are universally known – there is no shortage of tips on how to improve our general health by increasing our physical activity. Breast cancer is no exception to the rule, studies show that exercise can reduce the risk of getting the disease. If you find that intense training is not for you, or if you’d like a more mellow but no less effective activity on the side, we suggest Nordic walking. 

What exactly is Nordic walking? It is an increasingly popular activity where walkers mimic the upper body motion of cross-country skiing with the help of specially designed poles. Unlike walking with hiking poles, there is a specific technique to learn: the arms swing forward and back and the poles are used to propel the walker forward. Studies show that Nordic walking uses 90% of the body’s muscles.

“At last count, there were over 300 studies on Nordic walking and nine that looked specifically at its benefits for women with breast cancer,” says Diana Oliver, co-director at Urban Poling Inc., a manufacturer and distributor of Nordic walking poles available in Canada and the US. “Years of research show that compared to standard walking, exercising with Nordic walking poles strengthens the core and upper body, burns more calories, increases range of motion at the neck and shoulders, and takes stress away from the lower body joints. It’s also a wonderful mood booster.”

To start, look for Nordic walking poles online or in stores for sporting goods. Ask for assistance when setting up your poles, as locking the appropriate length into place is an important next step. As a rule of thumb, the recommended length for your Nordic walking poles should be 70% of your overall height. Your elbow should bend at a 90 degree angle when the pole is perpendicular to the ground.

Although not a mainstream sport yet, once observed, Nordic walking tends to “spread” quickly. Get ready to inspire others by way of example!

Source: 

Living Beyond Breast Cancer, “Recovering from breast cancer with Nordic walking: Susan Bjork”, 10/14/21