title: Comparison of the Effects of Walking with and without Nordic Pole on Upper Extremity and Lower Extremity Muscle Activation.
abstract: [Purpose] The aim of this study was to assess the effect of Nordic pole walking on the electromyographic activities of upper extremity and lower extremity muscles. [Subjects and Methods] The subjects were randomly divided into two groups as follows: without Nordic pole walking group (n=13) and with Nordic pole walking group (n=13). The EMG data were collected by measurement while the subjects walking on a treadmill for 30 minutes by measuring from one heel strike to the next. [Results] Both the average values and maximum values of the muscle activity of the upper extremity increased in both the group that used Nordic poles and the group that did not use Nordic poles, and the values showed statistically significant differences. There was an increase in the average value for muscle activity of the latissimus dorsi, but the difference was not statistically significant, although there was a statistically significant increase in its maximum value. The average and maximum values for muscle activity of the lower extremity did not show large differences in either group, and the values did not show any statistically significant differences. [Conclusion] The use of Nordic poles by increased muscle activity of the upper extremity compared with regular walking but did not affect the lower extremity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, College of Health and Science, Kangwon National University, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Je-Myung
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Shim
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Pusan Catholic University, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Hae-Yeon
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Kwon
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, College of Rehabilitation Science, Daegu University, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Ha-Roo
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, College of Rehabilitation Science, Daegu University, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Bo-In
authors.initials: BI
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Gimhae Goodmorning Hospital, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Ju-Hyeon
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Jung
keywords: Lower extremity muscle; Nordic pole walking; Upper extremity muscle