Effect of Nordic Walking on Gait-asymmetry Patterns in Children With Hemiparesis

Effect of Nordic Walking on Gait-asymmetry Patterns in Children With Hemiparesis

Nordic walking is a physical activity consisting of walking with poles similar to ski poles. The poles are designed for the purpose of activating the upper body during walking. The poles are equipped with rubber or spike tips and the walking itself resembles.

Compared to normal walking in Nordic walking there is a stronger involvement of the upper body. Furthermore, by using the poles, the muscles in the upper body can be activated, and the length of each step taken is supposedly increased, resulting in a faster gait .

Inclusion Criteria:

• Their age will range from 6-10 years, from both sexes.
• Level I, II and III of gross motor functional classification system (GMFCS) (Jooyeon et al., 2011)
• Grade 1 and 1+ spasticity according to the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS). (Cloptonetal et al., 2005).

Exclusion Criteria:

• Uncontrolled epilepsy.
• Mental retardation or autistic features.
• Significant visual or auditory problems according to medical reports (audio-vestibular and ophthalmic examination),
• Structural or fixed soft tissue deformities of the lower and/or upper extremities.
• Neurological or orthopedic surgery in the past 12 months in the lower and/or upper extremities.
• Botox injection in the lower and/or upper extremities in the past 6 months.