Nordic Walking: This Little-known Physical Activity Takes Care of Your Heart Just as Much, or More, Than HIIT

Coronary artery disease is a leading cause of mortality and morbidity in the developed world. This disease causes some side effects once it has been experienced, for example, by a myocardial infarction. Health professionals are looking for the best type of physical exercise that can remedy these side effects, with Nordic walking emerging as a very interesting option.

Nordic Walking.

Nordic walking is a full-body workout that improves cardiovascular health, strengthens muscles, and enhances balance and coordination. By using poles, it engages the upper body while reducing strain on the joints, making it a low-impact exercise. It can also boost calorie burn compared to regular walking, making it an effective and enjoyable way to improve fitness and overall well-being.

Physical Exercise and Cardiovascular Disease.

Some of the side effects of myocardial infarction are decreased functional capacity and markedly low quality of life. Mental health is another factor that can be altered after a cardiovascular accident of this type. It is essential that cardiac rehabilitation be performed to reduce the severity of these symptoms as much as possible.

High-intensity Interval Training (HIIT) Versus Moderate-intensity Training (MICT).

It may sound shocking, but high-intensity interval training (HIIT) is one of the best strategies to reduce mortality from cardiovascular disease and improve mental health, superior even to moderate-intensity training.

Nordic Walking Has Come Into Play.

In the search for the best training option, research has been carried out on the usefulness of Nordic walking on functional capacity, depression and quality of life in patients undergoing cardiac rehabilitation.⁽¹⁾

Nordic walking is similar to skiing without snow , in fact it originated as training for cross-country skiers in times when there was no snow. He uses two special walking sticks, which go in rhythm with the steps taken.

This type of exercise consists of walking quickly while resting the canes on the ground , partly to help us go faster and partly to involve the upper body in the exercise. The intensity can range from low-intensity walks to highly demanding brisk walks.

Nordic Walking Versus High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT).

These vigorous Nordic walks have achieved superior results to high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and moderate-intensity training. This finding was published a few months ago in the journal Progress in Cardiovascular Diseases , making this type of training an excellent option to improve the functional capacity, mental health and general quality of life of people who have suffered a cardiovascular accident.⁽²⁾

A couple of weeks ago, a new study , very similar to the previous one, confirmed that Nordic walking has superior benefits in functional capacity, and can be compared in other positive effects to high-intensity interval training (HIIT).

Whether you have suffered a cardiovascular accident or not, energetic Nordic walking can be an interesting strategy to implement to take care of your heart health and mental health, in disorders such as depression.

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