RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
A1 Krejčí, Jakub
A1 Jakubec, Aleš
A1 Pšurný, Martin
A1 Janura, Miroslav
T1 Development and validation of system for measuring poling forces during Nordic walking
JF Acta Universitatis Palackianae Olomucensis. Gymnica
YR 2013
VO 43
IS 3
SP 49
OP 56
DO 10.5507/ag.2013.017
UL https://gymnica.upol.cz/artkey/gym-201303-0005.php
AB Background: Recently, the popularity of Nordic walking (NW) has been rising steadily. Many scientific studies researched the promising and beneficial effects of this form of physical activity. However, only a few studies provided data about the forces acting on the poles. We did not find a commercially available system that enables the measurement of the poling forces. 
Objective: The objective of this paper was to develop and validate a system for measuring the poling forces during NW. 
Methods: Strain gauge force tranducers were mounted below the grips of standard NW poles. The transducer signals were amplified and converted to digital form for transmitting to a personal computer. Special software was developed for processing the measured data and the calculation method of output variables was described. Validation of the system was performed using a Kistler force plate. Poling cycles with peak force of about 150 N were imitated by pressing the pole over a force plate. 
Results: A function sample of the measurement system was constructed. Validation yielded the mean absolute error of 1.1 N in case of poling cycles without pole impacts or 3.0 N in case of poling cycles with impacts. 
Conclusions: The validation result of our system is comparable to the results of similar systems used for measurements during cross-country skiing. The system enables independent measurement of the poling forces on both poles and the duration of measurement can be up to one hour. The system provides a tool that can be used to answer a number of questions that researches raise about NW. Understanding of the biomechanical and physiological aspects of poling action can constitute a scientific basis for promoting, teaching and training of NW.