Effect of Nordic Walking on the Gait of the Elderly

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate the effect of defensive style Nordic walking for beginners on the gait of the elderly.

Method: Twenty-eight elderly participants who could walk without any assistive devices participated in this study. Two types of gait were studied: gait without canes and gait with Nordic poles were measured by a 3D motion capture system and a force plate.

Results: Comparing the gait with and without canes the vertical component of ground reaction force during loading response did not show significant difference. The step width, lateral sway of the trunk, and amplitude during lateral movement of the center of gravity were significantly decreased during gait with Nordic poles compared to gait without canes. A significant correlation was found between step width and lateral movement of the center of gravity.

Conclusion: Defensive style Nordic walking increased the lateral stability of the gait of the elderly participants.