Nation with a Stick - Nordic Walking - Part 2

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© Gunther Belitz

"Those that are able to walk with a prosthesis will also manage to do nordic walking", says Rudolf Ziegler. And the same is true for all other people with a handicap who can walk. There exists no restriction due to age since the pace can always be adjusted to individual capacities. "Nevertheless, one should practice nordic walking for at least 30 minutes in order to enhance stamina", advises Ziegler. But the increased levels of energy that are needed by users of a prosthesis need to be considered. Lower leg amputees need betwenn 25 and 50 per cent more energy, upper leg amuptees up to 50 and 100 per cent.

Even though nordic walking is suitable for nearly everybody in order to lose weight and stay fit those interested should consult a doctor beforehand in order to clarify risks. Additionally, nordic walking is an inexpensive sport, that can be practiced virtually anywhere. Next to jogging shoes and functional clothes one needs the special carbon or glass fibre sticks that are provided with ergonomic loops for the hands and rubber caps at the spike. Good sticks can be best obtained through specialist sports shops.

And another advantage of nordic walking for people with a handicap springs to mind: Whereas amputees with a normal stick or with a lower arm support are identified straight away as being "disabled", during nordic walking with this special stick, one primarily is a sportive and active person. A handicap does not exist anymore when the whole nation depends upon sticks.

© HANDICAP - Das Magazin für Lebensqualität
Translation into English: REHACARE.de

- The website of the German magazine HANDICAP is located at: www.handicap.de