Pole walking down-under: profile of pole walking leaders, walkers and programs in Australia and factors relating to participation.

Issue Addressed: Although pole walking (PW) has the potential to be a useful health-enhancing physical activity (PA), little is known about by whom or how it is being practised. The aims of this study were to describe (1) the characteristics of PW leaders, pole walkers and PW programs in Australia, and (2) participants' perceptions of PW and their reasons for participation.

Methods: In 2012, PW leaders (n=31) and walkers (n=107) completed self-administered surveys that included questions about participants' sociodemographic and health characteristics, PW programs and perceptions of PW.

On your feet: protocol for a randomized controlled trial to compare the effects of pole walking and regular walking on physical and psychosocial health in older adults.

Background: Physical activity is associated with better physical and mental health in older adults. Pole walking is a form of walking which may have additional health benefits in older adults, because of the addition of hand held poles, and consequent upper limb involvement. However, few studies have examined the potential additional effects of pole walking on physical and psychosocial health in older adults compared with walking.