The Effect of Power Nordic Walking on Spine Deformation and Visual Analog Pain Scale in Elderly Women with Low Back Pain

Abstract

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to examine whether Nordic walking exercise can relieve low back pain and change the spine shape in elderly women. [Subjects] Sixteen elderly women with chronic low back pain from N University in Chungcheong-do, South Korea, were enrolled. [Methods] The participants were asked to walk in an upright posture, with the head upright and looking forward. The Nordic poles were held close to the body. When a foot was moved forward, the arm on the other side lifted the Nordic pole and moved it forward. The participants were using the Nordic pole when walked on the track with their arms lifted above their shoulders. The type of shoes worn during walking was not considered. [Results] One-way analysis of variance was used to determine the presence of significant differences between the measures of spine deformation and VAS. [Conclusion] Chronic low back pain, a complaint often received from elderly women, was reduced by pole-induced power walking reduction on the balance of the spine and back of this important exercise program is presented as a guideline.

The Influence of Nordic Walking on Isokinetic Trunk Muscle Endurance and Sagittal Spinal Curvatures in Women after Breast Cancer Treatment: Age-Specific Indicators

“…In elderly women, the muscles around the spine were found to be aligned better after 12 weeks of NW training. Additionally, probably due to a simultaneous involvement and cooperation of the abdominal muscles, pelvic muscles and sensory nerve, the left–right balance was in equilibrium [ 17 ]. However, there are limited scientific reports examining the influence of NW on body posture.…”

“…These factors may suggest a compensatory postural response (in the sagittal plane); however, only limited investigations have been conducted. Moreover, many authors have confirmed the positive effects of NW in rehabilitation [ 16 , 17 , 18 ]. In the case of BC survivors, a significant impact of this form of PA has been demonstrated with regard to improving the psychophysical condition [ 6 , 19 ].…”

The effect of abdominal drawing-in exercise and myofascial release on pain, flexibility, and balance of elderly females

“…Low back pain is a pain in the lumbar region from the second lumbar vertebrae where the nerves end to the sacroiliac articulation3 ) . It is a pain resulting from humans’ walking erect unlike other animals and 80% of the whole population experiences low back pain during their lifetime.…”

The Effect of Nordic Pole Walking on Chronic Low Back, Hip, and/or Knee Pain on Walking and on Distance Walked - A Prospective Community Study in Ambulatory People Over Age 60

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for these conditions suggests that it might be useful in the treatment of pain and function in the shoulder, neck, low back, hips, and knees [1][2][3][4][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16].We report here our experience with NPW on pain on walking and on the distance walked in a community-based prospective study of 100 people aged 60 and over who had a history of low back, hip and/ or knee pain while walking for 0.5 or more years (mean duration of pain 11.7 ± 13.2 years) and who were started on NPW and who were assessed for severity of pain and distance walked before NPW and 1, 6 and 12 weeks after initiating the study.

Methods

ParticipantsParticipants included a total of 100 individuals comprised of; 52 females and 48 males, who were recruited when an article was published by one of us (DSS) in a non-profit local community magazine in Israel describing the health benefits of NPW,

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“…for these conditions suggests that it might be useful in the treatment of pain and function in the shoulder, neck, low back, hips, and knees [1][2][3][4][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16].…”