Staying active just got easier... — The Community Press

From left: Daysland Mayor Gail Watt, and Councillor Leona Dickau demonstrate the use of walking poles. Watt and Dickau are avid walkers through all seasons. Watt owns her own poles, above, and Dickau is using one of 10 pairs of the new Activator poles available for any Flagstaff resident to try, thanks to grant funding and a partnership between Alberta Health Services, Flagstaff Adult Learning, and the Injury Prevention Centre.

Thanks to a partnership between Alberta Health Services, Flagstaff Community Adult Learning, and the Injury Prevention Centre, a new Activator Pole Lending Program has been introduced in Flagstaff County.

A total of 10 sets of poles have been purchased and will be available for loan to all community members wanting to try them out.

Activator poles will be available from Forestburg Library, Lougheed and Sedgewick Libraries, the Alliance Library, Providence Place in Daysland, and from the Community Health Unit in Sedgewick.

Katherine Gagnon from Alberta Health Services says, “Brisk walking with poles is a simple and safe form of exercise.
“It’s an effective measure to counteract sedentary lifestyle risks and could lead to a reduction of the prevalence of chronic diseases.

“Pole walking is a great way to get active and enjoy the outdoors any time of the year, so now is your time to try it!”
Feb. 4 is Celebrate Winter Walk Day, and a perfect time to try pole walking, Gagnon says.

Doing at least 150 minutes of activity every week, just two-and-a-half hours, is important because regular physical activity, especially strength and balance exercises, increases muscle strength, improves balance, and helps prevent falls.

Factors that put older adults at risk of falls include chronic health conditions, balance or gait deficits, sensory factors, inadequate nutrition, social isolation, as well as those related to buildings and social environments.

Gagnon says data indicates that when older adults use simple tools, such as fall grab bars, and increase their activities, it can make a big difference in their quality of life.

The activator poles in the lending program are revolutionizing rehabilitation for individuals with chronic conditions, those recovering injuries, and old adults who require more stability and balance when walking.

The poles are modified Nordic walking poles, and the goals behind their design features are safety and effectiveness.

Some of the benefits of walking poles include: improving posture and balance while walking, taking weight off leg joints, burning more calories than walking alone, (nearly 46 per cent more) and working both upper body and legs.

The poles can be adjusted to different heights, and a handout is available for pole adjustment, and technique for using the poles effectively.

The poles are not just for winter use, while they do have removable ends to create spikes for winter use, they can and should be used year round.

It’s considered too cold to walk outside if the temperature or wind chill levels are below -25 C.

Leslie Cholowsky
Editor