Walking with Poles

With the weather turning nicer, I find myself wanting to get outside to walk again. Walking for exercise has been recommended to me by my physician, and is often recommended to those with various types neuromuscular disease (depending on ability and health factors). Recently, I discovered the benefits of using walking poles (also called Nordic walking or trekking poles) while walking.

I had never considered using walking poles until a member of my Charcot Marie Tooth Support Group came into a meeting with them. She has found that using the poles improves her balance and coordination, and increases her ability to walk more quickly and for greater distances. She also finds that she much prefers using the poles to using a cane because the walking poles helped her to feel that she was leading an active life rather than feeling as if she was “disabled.”

Experts suggest that there are fitness benefits from using walking poles over walking without poles. Holding a pole in each hand, the walker pushes off the ground with each stride. Using walking poles increases the workout to the arms, chest, and upper back, giving the walker a full-body workout. Because of the increased intensity to the arms, the intensity and number of calories burned increases.

Using walking poles also improves balance, posture, and stability. Walking poles take pressure off the lower body, which can help those with foot-bone abnormalities such as those caused by CMT, or arthritis and other health problems as well.

Using walking poles, I have found the same benefits as suggested by my support group member and the experts. I can walk further with more stability and find that my arms get a great workout as well. The impact to my feet feels diminished, and I experience less foot discomfort after walking with poles rather than without them. Walking becomes more enjoyable due to these benefits.

I also found that the poles were quite easy to use. For directions using walking poles, click on the link to the article “How to use a pair of walking poles,” found in BellaOnline’s walking site.

While some of those reading this article may not be ambulatory, there are many with neuromuscular disease who can walk and for whom walking may be a recommended form of exercise. If you can walk and can hold onto poles, check with your physician to find out if you would benefit from the use of walking poles. You may find that with the weather turning nicer, you can get outside to walk and enjoy the benefits to physical fitness that walking with poles has to offer.

Resources
Laskowski, E.R., (2010). Walking poles: Good for brisk walking? Mayo Clinic website. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/walking-poles/AN01798 . Retrieved 4/1/11.

T., Hellie, (2010). How to use a pair of walking poles. BellaOnline.com website. http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art38465.asp . Retrieved 4/1/11.

Wahl, M., (2009). Recommended Exercises in Muscle Disease. MDA website. http://quest.mda.org/series/exercising-muscle-disease-series/recommended-exercises-muscle-disease . Retrieved 4/1/11.

Disclosure: I purchased walking poles for myself for my own personal use.