Nordic Walking: A Tool for Prevention and Rehabilitation Therapy

The phenomenon of Nordic walking first appeared in Finland in the 1980s as a method for skiers to train during the off-season. In recent years, its popularity has grown significantly. It is a highly effective and, at the same time, affordable form of physical activity. It is performed with special devices called sticks, which serve as supports and allow weight redistribution, reduce the load on the joints, and increase muscle strength as all the muscles of the body are loaded. Originally, it was used in the Scandinavian countries, but due to its simplicity and efficiency, it soon gained popularity throughout Europe. Nordic walking is a good health prevention alternative for a wide range of people. Research shows that it can improve the quality of life of both the elderly and people with various diseases. The purpose of this article is to give a scientific view of Nordic walking and its possibilities as a method of prevention and rehabilitation of many diseases. Material and methods: Review and analysis of scientific publications and literature sources found in the following databases: Google Scholar, ResearchGate, PubMed, SportDiscus, and others. Conclusion : Today, Nordic walking is very popular all over the world. There is already a Nordic Walking Federation in many countries, and competitions are held. Nordic walking is a good alternative for a wide range of people for health prevention. Research shows that it can improve the quality of life of both the elderly and be included in the rehabilitation of people with various diseases.