Is it hard to work out?You gain energy when you work out, right? Nordic Working Happy Road Accompanied by Daejeon Active Seniors

Dec 16, 2024

In the new year of 2025, Korea enters a super-aged society where the elderly are 10 million years old and 20% of the population is 65 or older. In an era when quality of life is a hot topic, not just life extension, '8899 (88 to 99 years old)'Essential element of old age is muscle strength. Muscle mass usually begins to decline in the mid-30s, plunging to 30% in the 60s and as much as 50% in the 80s. Investing in 'Muscular strength', which is directly related to physical and mental health, is the best financial technique for a happy old age. This year, the Korea Sports Association operated 'Elderly Sports Classes and Festivals'Elderly Gymnastics Classes' at 620 locations in 19 sports and 220 locations in 17 cities and provinces. At the end of the year in 2024, we will introduce the exercise methods of the seniors who are serious about 'geun-tech (muscle + financial technology)'.

On the 10th of last month, more than 200 seniors aged 60 or older gathered in groups with sticks in both hands from the early morning under the red late autumn foliage of the "2024 Nordic Walking Festival for the Elderly Sports Support Project" held at Geumgang-Rohas Grand Park in Daejeon.

This year, 2,000 students from 10 locations across the country learned Nordic walking in the `Senior Sports Classroom with the Korean Sports Council.' Senior students who learned Nordic walking from professional instructors of the Korea Mountain Federation from all over the country began to warm up lightly under the brilliant scenery where Daecheong Lake and Mt. Autumn meet and then begin 'Actual'.

Bomudang Shin Min-kyung (60), who met the 4.5km LOHAS Happy Road at the beginning, saw the announcement of the free course 'Nordic Walking' at the library and applied. Every Tuesday morning, I participated in the Learning Festival in Dosolsan, Daejeon", he introduced. "As you get older, you need muscle strength. Nordic walking seems to lose forearms and improve upper body strength by moving arms using sticks," he smiled. "I don't get tired or sag because I work out constantly" "It is most important to find an event that suits each person's physical condition in old age. These days, the information is excessive, so it would be nice to have a service where sports experts prescribe customized sports", he suggested.

Member Kim Young-jae, who honed Nordic walking in Busan, and a professional lecturer at the Korea Mountain Federation, are shouting fighting.

Another '80s Gil Dong-moo'Kim Young-jae (84) who met by a mountain road mocker had a straight back. "I've been learning Nordic walking for two months from a lecturer at the Korea Mountain Federation at the Dasarang Complex Culture and Arts Center in Busan." "I climb Um Mine once a week. Nordic walking is very helpful in walking because it balances and adds strength." `I've been working out for 15 years,' he said. `Older people lose muscle right away if they don't work out for three days. If you go out and walk, you will feel energized and the depression will disappear. Even if you exercise less, it is most important to do it consistently every day."

Kim Jin-hee Chun Young-hee Kim Geum-ja Kim Jin-hee, who received Nordic walking training supported by the Korean Sports Council at Daejeon Sannae Social Welfare Center, poses for a heart on Happy Road.

Around the halfway point of Happy Road, I met the four companies of '50s' Yoon Seok-hee (71), Chun Young-hee (69), Kim Geum-ja (67), and Kim Jin-hee (63) in the Pink Mulley Garden. They were full of vitality as hand-made students of Daejeon Sannae General Social Welfare Center and Park Yoon-jung, a lecturer at the Korea Mountain Federation. "Nordic walking? It's so nice!" "Stretch your body straight!" "I was in denial, but walking like this straightens my back." Chatting interviews, laughter was in full bloom. 'Isn't it hard?' is the same voice "There's nothing hard about it. Working out gives me strength. Muscle strength, vitality, and body and mind become younger. It's so nice to work out together. I can't do it alone. Sister, the air is different because you're younger than me. I love practicing what I've learned," he said, expressing his admiration for the sport. "Nordic walking is more fun the more you do it. This festival is so nice, too. I wish I could do it two or three times a year." The pleasant Daejeon 'Active Seniors' were confident in the concern of 'Guest'. "Don't worry! We can spread word of mouth. It's so nice, but we'll have more participation next year."

The handmade students, led by Park Yoon-jung, a lecturer at the Korea Mountain Federation, took a basic posture with Nordic walking sticks.

Park Yoon-jeong, a professional lecturer at the Korea Mountain Association who designed the Happy Road 4.5km "Happy Flower Road"The Korean Sports Association and the Korea Mountain Federation are actively promoting 'Nordic Walking' class to walk properly together."There are 7080s that do not have problems walking because they manage their joints and muscles well, but there are many people who have bad back, pelvis, and knees. In the case of senior Nordic walking, rather than forcing posture, the focus is on increasing the walking distance while dispersing the weight applied to the knee and pelvis on the stick", he explained. "Walking is directly related to the quality of life. Studies show that if you continue to walk in the right posture in your life, your life in old age will improve. "Nordic walking is not just exercise, but healing. It is to increase muscle strength through inner muscle strengthening exercises necessary for walking, to heal emotions and psychology in nature, and to experience it with the five senses. If you walk like that, positive hormones come out, and relationships and intimacy go up."

Lee Dong-hwa, the project manager of the Korea Mountain Federation, said, "It is really important to support sports activities for the elderly at the time of entering a super-aged society. We are conducting Nordic walking as one of the programs for the 「Active Senior" among the 「Up and Down」 educational projects of the Korea Mountain Federation」, and it is very popular. I was proud to see many elderly people enjoying the scenery while practicing the Nordic walking they have learned so far" expressed his feelings.

Yeon Heon-mo, chairman of the Daejeon Mountain Federation, is giving a congratulatory speech at the Korean Sports Association's Senior Sports Class-Nordic Walking Festival. Photo courtesy = Korea Mountain Federation

Son Joong-ho, president of the Korean Alpine Federation, is giving a congratulatory speech at the Korean Sports Association's Senior Sports Class-Nordic Walking Festival. Photo courtesy = Korea Mountain Federation

Son Joong-ho, chairman of the Korea Mountain Federation, said "Nordic walking is a big full-body exercise that saves 30-40% of physical strength through a stick. It is being actively distributed with the aim of providing proper walking education through professional instructors", he explained. A mountain climber and businessman in his 70s, he said "The movement of old age should never be greedy. The Alpinist spirit has equinoxism, which puts the purpose of climbing in 'result' and 'process', and it requires a 'equinoxism' mindset that goes one's way at one's own pace. I hope you don't want to be greedy and adjust your speed" he advised. "At our age, exercising doesn't make you muscular. It's important to keep it safe. Don't just sit at home, but come out and walk. You have to walk, talk, and exercise with your friends to clear your body and mind."

Daejeon = Reporter Jeon Young-ji

Source=Korea Mountain Federation

*What is Nordic Walking?

Originating from the offseason training methods of Finnish cross-country players in the 1930s. With walking with poles, normal walking uses 50% of the body's muscles, while nodding walking evenly utilizes the upper and lower bodies and uses more than 90% of the total muscles. It is not harder than regular walking, and the exercise effect is excellent because the calorie consumption is 46% higher.

*Nordic Walking's Basic Posture 'ALFA Technique'

(Appropriate technique is required to avoid unnecessary stress or impact on joints or other tissues.)

-Attention Walk with the feeling of straightening the spine and pulling the navel toward the back.

-Long arms Extend your arms as long as possible and straighten your elbows. Don't shake your arm too much.

-Flat sticks Keep the bottom stick and the opposite leg parallel. The stick should not be raised at 90 degrees.

-Adapted steps Keep your stride constant and walk your feet from the heel.

*Nordic Working TIP

1. Walk naturally without bending your elbows straight during arm swing movements.

2. Imagine walking on all fours, and as soon as the stick touches the ground, the palm is pointed to the ground and pushes forward as much as possible.

3. Don't put your gaze on the ground, but swing naturally while looking 10m ahead.

4. Since there are many movements that correct walking habits, it is desirable to get a coach from an instructor or superior.

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