A Review of Biomechanical and Physiological Effects of Using Poles in Sports.
Level 5 - mechanism / opinion, no new human data
Narrative review of literature without reported systematic search or meta-analytic methods
PubMed 37106684 · doi:10.3390/bioengineering10040497
What was done
The authors reviewed literature on the biomechanical, physiological, coordination, and equipment-related effects of using poles across sports disciplines such as skiing (cross-country and roller), Nordic walking, and trail running.
What was found
Across all included studies, pole use reduced plantar pressure and ground reaction forces. Upper body and trunk muscle activity increased, while lower body muscle activity was either decreased or unchanged compared to walking without poles. Pole use increased oxygen consumption (VO2) and tended to increase heart rate without increasing rating of perceived exertion (RPE). Longer poles reduced VO2, prolonged the thrust phase, and generated greater propulsive impulse. Pole mass had no major effect on VO2, RPE, or heart rate, but heavier poles increased biceps brachii activity. No numerical values were provided in the abstract.
Why it matters
This review summarizes how pole use shifts mechanical loads from the lower to upper body and raises metabolic cost without increasing perceived exertion, which informs training, rehabilitation, and equipment selection.
Limits
The abstract provides no quantitative data, effect sizes, search strategy, or total count of included studies and participants. Differing athletic disciplines with distinct locomotion patterns are grouped together.
Cited by
- supports Adding upper-body exercise to lower-body exercise increases overall activity or energy expenditure by approximately 30%.