Effects of Nordic walking and walking on spatiotemporal gait parameters and ground reaction force.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of Nordic walking and walking on spatiotemporal gait parameters and ground reaction force. [Subjects] The subjects of this study were 30 young adult males, who were divided into a Nordic walking group of 15 subjects and a walking group of 15 subjects. [Methods] To analyze the spatiotemporal parameters and ground reaction force during walking in the two groups, the six-camera Vicon MX motion analysis system was used. The subjects were asked to walk 12 meters using the more comfortable walking method for them between Nordic walking and walking. After they walked 12 meters more than 10 times, their most natural walking patterns were chosen three times and analyzed. To determine the pole for Nordic walking, each subject's height was multiplied by 0.68. We then measured the spatiotemporal gait parameters and ground reaction force. [Results] Compared with the walking group, the Nordic walking group showed an increase in cadence, stride length, and step length, and a decrease in stride time, step time, and vertical ground reaction force. [Conclusion] The results of this study indicate that Nordic walking increases the stride and can be considered as helping patients with diseases affecting their gait. This demonstrates that Nordic walking is more effective in improving functional capabilities by promoting effective energy use and reducing the lower limb load, because the weight of the upper and lower limbs is dispersed during Nordic walking.

Effect of changes in postural alignment on foot pressure and walking ability of stroke patients.

[Purpose] The aims of this study were to determine (1) the significance of walking and foot pressure in stroke patients, and (2) the association between changes in postural alignment of stroke patients. [Subjects and Methods] Foot pressure and walking ability based on postural alignment were measured in 50 stroke patients. Trunk imbalance, trunk rotation, pelvic tilt, kyphosis, lordosis were measured using DIERS formetric4D (DIERS International GmbH, Schlangenbad, Germany), which anlalyzes 3-dimensional spinal structure in order to measure postural alignment. To determine foot pressure, the support rate of weight and, average foot pressure were measured using DIERS pedoscan (DIERS International GmbH, Schlangenbad, Germany) apparatus as a pressure platform. [Results] DIERS formetric 4D, DIERS pedoscan, and a 10 m walking test were utilized to measure foot pressure and walking ability relative to changes in postural alignment in participating stroke patients. [Conclusion] This study confirmed the significance of foot pressure and walking ability as related postural alignment, indicating that postural alignment education and a recovery therapy program for functional improvement of stroke patients should be provided together.