The latest flurry of interest in Nordic walking has arrived with the publication of new research from the University of Ottawa Heart Institute.

Its conclusion is that all exercise is good, and some is better than none, but the health benefits of Nordic walking are superior.

• The researchers found that Nordic walking is “statistically and clinically superior” to high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and moderate-to-vigorous intensity continuous training (MICT) in increasing functional capacity in patients with coronary artery disease enrolled in cardiac rehabilitation.
  
  (Functional capacity refers to a person’s ability to perform physical tasks and is an important predictor of future cardiovascular events.)
  

• When compared directly, HIIT, MICT and Nordic walking have similar prolonged effects on disease-specific and general quality of life and depression symptoms. Yet, for increasing functional capacity, the prolonged effects of Nordic walking superior.

So grab your poles (and maybe a friend), use your very best Nordic walking technique, and get out there and enjoy this beautiful day!