title: Nordic walking practice might improve plantar pressure distribution.
abstract: Nordic walking (NW), characterized by the use of two walking poles, is becoming increasingly popular (Morgulec-Adamowicz, Marszalek, & Jagustyn, 2011). We studied walking pressure patterns of 20 experienced and 30 beginner Nordic walkers. Plantar pressures from nine foot zones were measured during trials performed at two walking speeds (preferred and 20% faster), and under two walking conditions (NW vs. normal walking). In comparison to normal walking, NW experience led to a significant (p < .05) pressure reduction of about 50% on the central metatarsals. No significant increases were detected in other foot regions. The differences between experienced and beginners during normal walking including a 40% pressure reduction on the metatarsal area, suggests that regular NW practice might also have a beneficial effect on plantar pressure when walking without poles.
authors.affiliation: Department of Sport and Physical Education, University of Valencia, Spain. pedro.perez-soriano@uv.es
authors.forename: Pedro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pérez-Soriano
authors.forename: Salvador
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Llana-Belloch
authors.forename: Alfonso
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Martínez-Nova
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Morey-Klapsing
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Encarnación-Martínez
mesh_terms: D000054:Acceleration; D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena / Q000502:physiology; D002183:Canes; D005260:Female; D005528:Foot / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011312:Pressure; D012775:Shoes; D019876:Sports Equipment; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology*