University Grenoble Alpes Study: Curved or Straight Poles, What Science Measures
A team of researchers from Université Grenoble Alpes, made up of Nicolas Termoz, Elyott Depery and Gabriel Lorenzi, conducted a study on the impact of Nordic walking pole geometry on locomotion and on how walkers perceive their movement. Until then, scientific work on the discipline had compared ordinary walking with Nordic walking, or measured energy expenditure and muscle activation. No research had yet looked at the effect of a different pole geometry. The arrival of MØNARC® curved poles opened that field, and walkers, instructors and clubs wanted objective data. This page brings together the protocol and the results.
An exacting experimental protocol
The experiment involved eight regular Nordic walkers, four women and four men, average age 64.5, walking more than twenty kilometres a week. The protocol took place on an athletics track, at two reference speeds, 5 and 6 km/h. Each participant completed five 500-metre sequences: walking without poles, walking with straight poles at 5 then 6 km/h, and walking with curved poles at 5 then 6 km/h, in a randomly drawn order to avoid fatigue bias. Speeds were regulated by spaced markers and a regular sound signal.
The measuring equipment included a heart-rate monitor and a VO2 Master analyser for energy expenditure, EMG sensors on nine upper- and lower-limb muscles, and Xsens Dot inertial sensors positioned on the poles, the shin and the back to analyse the kinematics of the movement: push angle and push time, cadence, amplitude, trunk rotation, vibration energy. A subjective assessment after each sequence recorded perceived effort, comfort and pleasure.
Push angle and propulsion mechanics
The first significant result concerns the push angle, that is, the inclination of the pole relative to the ground during the support phase. With straight poles, the average measured angle was 46 degrees; it drops to 33 degrees with MØNARC® curved poles. This thirteen-degree difference changes the distribution of forces: the push becomes more horizontal and less vertical. The walker is lifted less and propelled forward more. Vector analysis shows propulsion 22% more efficient with curved poles than with straight poles, without additional effort.
Reduced vibrations, a factor of comfort and longevity
The inertial sensors measured a reduction in vibrations transmitted to the arms of 22% at 5 km/h and 26% at 6 km/h with the curved poles. Repeated vibrations are one of the main sources of microtrauma among regular walkers, in the wrists, elbows and shoulders. By reducing this strain, curved poles limit accumulated fatigue and support a durable practice, including on hard ground such as asphalt.
Unchanged physiological intensity
On the metabolic side, oxygen consumption and heart rate do not differ significantly between straight and curved poles. The effort demanded of the body is the same at equal speed: the mechanical improvement does not come at an energy cost.
A redistribution of muscular effort
The electromyographic analysis shows a redistribution of effort: activation of the upper-body muscles (biceps, triceps, deltoids, back muscles) tends to increase with curved poles, while that of some lower-limb muscles decreases slightly. This trend, consistent with Nordic walking's aim of engaging the whole body harmoniously, does not always reach statistical significance given the limited number of participants, but it is confirmed by the sensations the walkers reported.
How the movement feels: effort, comfort and pleasure
At 5 km/h, participants reported lower perceived effort with the curved poles. At 6 km/h, walking comfort and pleasure appear significantly higher. The researchers suggest that the ergonomics of curved poles, by smoothing the movement and reducing vibration discomfort, make walking more pleasant and less constraining.
Conclusion and limitations of the study
The study concludes that MØNARC® curved poles bring several objectively measured benefits: a push angle reduced by thirteen degrees favouring a more horizontal and more efficient propulsion, a clear reduction in vibrations transmitted to the arms, a more balanced distribution of muscular effort and an improved perception of effort, comfort and pleasure, all without changing the physiological intensity of the exercise.
The researchers point out that the small sample size (eight participants) and inter-individual variability call for caution, and they encourage further research with larger samples and varied terrain. The observed trends remain consistent and convergent between objective measurements and subjective perceptions, and they sit within the original spirit of the discipline: an amplified yet natural movement that engages the whole body.
Acknowledgements
The researchers thank the participants for their commitment, Valérie Novel and Clovis Chabert for the training and technical support related to the measuring equipment, Jean-Pierre Guilloteau for his involvement in recruiting the walkers, and Université Grenoble Alpes for providing its sports facilities.
To discover the poles that were tested: the MØNARC® Arcs de Marche®, carbon Nordic walking poles.