How Urban Pole Walking Improves Your Health
The founder of Above + Beyond Cancer, Dr. Richard Deming discusses the practice of Urban Poling with this week’s guest, Mandy Shintani, who is an Occupational Therapist and Gerontologist. Mandy is also the founder of Urban Poling Inc., in North Vancouver, Canada.
Mandy explains that she discovered Urban Poling through her Swedish neighbor. Urban Poling is also called Nordic walking as it is well known in Canada and Europe. Nordic walking is a similar exercise and movement to cross country skiing which provides the highest cardiovascular workout of any activity. The specialized walking poles combine aerobic exercise and strength training for their users.
Urban Pole Walking and the pole itself allow individuals to improve their balance, stability, and range of motion through four contact points on the ground. Mandy explains that these benefits are especially helpful for those who struggle with conditions that affect endurance and balance. She also asserts that studies (cited through her presentation) showed Urban Poling helps to manage Lymphedema and increases one’s positive mood more than walking alone.
Physical Therapist Trina Radske-Suchan, the President of CHP Community, also provided her personal and professional insight into the high health value of Urban Poling. She also suggested multiple exercises you can practice to warm up before Urban Poling to get the most out of the experience. Examples of the suggested warm-ups are heel raises, deep skiers stretch, and more.
Above + Beyond Cancer Program Director Mary Van Heukelom assisted in conducting evidence-based research on cancer survivors and their experiences with Urban Poling. Participants in the Above + Beyond Cancer class exercised with urban poles 120 minutes per week with stretches. The post assessments showed that 100 percent of the participants had a reduction in heart rate, and 100 percent improved on the 2-minute step test, exhibiting advancement in endurance and balance. Eighty-five percent of the participants also showed weight loss. Similarly, many of the participants who were experiencing chronic pain before the trial discovered either partial or total pain relief.
For more, check out this conversation in detail on the Above + Beyond Cancer's Youtube channel. To find the Urban Poling classes offered by Above + Beyond Cancer, go to our website here. The classes are available to all, poles are available to those who are simply trying the class or who are not able to purchase them for the duration of the 12-week program with Above + Beyond Cancer. Email mary@aboveandbeyondcancer.org to register for the next class.
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BA Ethics & Public Policy, BBA Management, minor Social Justice
annavanheukelom@gmail.com