NordicWalking injuries - The Nordic walking thumb as a new injury entity
5 Apr 2025
This pioneering study investigates injury rates and patterns among Nordic Walkers, revealing an overall low injury incidence (0.926 per 1,000 hours), with most injuries resulting from falls. The most common injury was a sprain of the ulnar collateral ligament of the thumb—coined the "Nordic Walking Thumb"—caused by holding onto the pole during a fall. While shoulder and wrist injuries also occurred, severe injuries were rare, and 95% of walkers returned to activity within three weeks. The authors suggest improvements in pole grip design and education on fall techniques to prevent this injury. The research positions Nordic Walking as a safe sport but calls for awareness of specific injury risks.
You may be interested in them
30 Mar 2026
Comparative Analysis of Gait Kinematics in Older Adults: Free Walking vs. Nordic Walking with Classic and Mechatronic Poles
23 Mar 2026
How do you walk properly with NW poles? What are the most common mistakes in Nordic walking technique?
9 Feb 2026
Nordic Walking – How to Walk with Poles?
World Original Nordic Walking Federation
Administration office:
JĘDRZYCHOWSKA 20D
65-385 ZIELONA GÓRA, POLAND
office@onwf.org
© 2024 onwf.org | Original Nordic Walking from Finland