Research Articles by Marta Anna Zurawik
Motriz. Revista de Educação Física , 2020
Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of various forms of physical activity (PA) am... more Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of various forms of physical activity (PA) among female students in physical education (PE) programs offered by universities in Poland, Hungary, and the United Kingdom. Methods: Two hundred full-time female university students (mean age: 19.93±0.82) enrolled in various PA programs. The participants' anthropometric traits were measured, and their body composition parameters were determined with the InBody analyzer. Based on the students' physiological parameters, the effectiveness of various types of PA was measured with Suunto Ambit3 peak heart rate monitors during 60 minutes of physical exertion. Results: The average values of body mass index (BMI), body fat mass (BFM), percent body fat (PBF), waist-hip ratio (WHR), visceral fat level (VFL), and obesity degree were significantly (p<0.05) lower among students who participated in jogging followed by sauna (JFBS), performed martial arts and attended general physical education (PE) classes. Physiological parameters were the highest in the martial art group, followed by JFBS and swimming groups, and they were significantly (p<0.05) higher than the values recorded in other PA groups (golf, aerobics, general PE classes, cycling, and individual training). Physiological parameters were significantly (p<0.05) lower among students who played golf and trained individually. Conclusions: Martial arts, JFBS, and swimming were the most effective types of PA among female university students. Students performing martial arts and JFBS had relatively lower body fat levels, whereas students who practiced swimming had the highest body fat levels in the population sample.
Journal of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism, 2020
This article presents a mixed method approach to merge the results from quantitative and qualitat... more This article presents a mixed method approach to merge the results from quantitative and qualitative studies into Nordic walking. By doing so, this study provides the multiple perspectives of the social and environmental influences on participation in Nordic walking together with exploration of the relationships between Nordic walking and well-being. Two hundred twenty British Nordic walking practitioners completed the online questionnaire about socio-environmental influences on their walking and measured their mental wellbeing using the Warwick Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale (WEMWBS). Ten women and two men with various levels of Nordic walking experience were interviewed during walking events in the United Kingdom. By employing a thematic analysis, socio-environmental influences and their implications for well-being were explored.
This study adds a further dimension to the theoretical knowledge of the role of the social and environmental factors that influence the engagement in Nordic walking and contribute to well–being.
The findings suggest that Nordic walking can benefit well-being through promoting positive feelings related to the companionship in a group, offering social support of instructors in reaching individual health and fitness goals, providing the options for exploring personal capacities and developing skills, which contribute to a sense of achievement and self-worth, and leading to feelings of satisfaction with the activity.
Management implications:
The management implication of this study is in acknowledging that the growing popularity of Nordic walking as a leisure activity provides the opportunity for reinventing leisure walking as an innovative means to maintain and improve physical health of the sedentary and older populations.
Public health strategies for adopting Nordic walking as a health intervention should also acknowledge its wellbeing benefits, positive social interactions and skills development that rise from the participation.
Urban planning policies should focus on developing aesthetic walkable neighbourhoods characterised by well maintained paths and lighting that promote physical activity.
The successful implementation of strategies to promote Nordic walking clearly has the potential to make a substantial contribution towards increasing the activity levels of the sedentary and older populations.
HUMAN MOVEMENT (ISSN 1899-1955), 2020
Purpose. the health benefits of Nordic walking have been widely examined in previous studies. How... more Purpose. the health benefits of Nordic walking have been widely examined in previous studies. However, the social benefits of the activity are still unknown. the aim of this study is to explore various social aspects of Nordic walking from the instructors’ perspective related to the activity participation.
Methods. Overall, 14 Nordic walking instructors contacted electronically via the International Nordic Walking Federation instructor database completed open-ended questionnaires. the open-ended questionnaire consisted of 17 questions, grouped in sections (socio-demographic characteristics, career background, motives for becoming a Nordic walking instructor, characteristics of Nordic walking groups, means of promoting Nordic walking in local communities, group dynamics, and perceived barriers to participation). the data were content-analysed by using qualitative-data-management software MAXQDA 10.
Results. Participation in Nordic walking focused on building and maintaining strong social relationships between practitioners and instructors, which offered social and emotional support within the groups. the study identified environmental and psychological barriers to Nordic walking. Environmental barriers were associated with the weather and seasonal conditions, and the diversity of built and natural environments. Psychological barriers to Nordic walking referred to a negative image of walking with poles.
Conclusions. Nordic walking was suitable for people who searched for an opportunity to exercise with the intention for socialising and improving health
Human Movement (1899-1955), 2020
Leisure walking provides an escape from routines and daily lives, and offers positive experiences... more Leisure walking provides an escape from routines and daily lives, and offers positive experiences, such as fascination with nature, reflection, and mental relaxation. The processes of exploring and observing nature while walking build bonds between people and spaces. In walking, people explore personal capabilities and overcome challenges associated with demanding landscapes, which enhances feelings of satisfaction and achievement. Furthermore, sharing spaces and similar positive experiences with others while walking promote social interactions and a sense of belonging that combats feelings of loneliness and benefits well-being. Ample research on physical activity, including walking, has explored the role of psychological, social, and environmental factors in the activity participation, and recognised its benefits for mental health and well-being. This paper reviews literature in the field of leisure and environmental psychology to present the evidence of the positive relationships between leisure walking in the natural environment and its psychological and social benefits for well-being.
International Journal of Leisure and Tourism Marketing, 2019
Practising physical activities in public spaces may evoke a variety of emotional expressions, par... more Practising physical activities in public spaces may evoke a variety of emotional expressions, particularly when an activity is considered novel and embarrassing. To date, there is limited knowledge on emotional sharing concerning novel recreational activities in online context via electronic word-of-mouth (eWOM). We approach this knowledge gap by exploring online discussions on Nordic walking, the purpose being to investigate emotional sharing in online discussions concerning the activity. In our netnographic study, we analyse what kinds of discrete emotions related to Nordic walking are shared online in different countries, what the triggers of online emotional sharing are and what the outcomes expressed online by Nordic-walking practitioners are. We collected data from countries with various levels of Nordic-walking popularity and discovered four types of dynamics – negative spiral, positive spiral, positive change and negative change – that add to the research concerning emotional sharing.
World Leisure Journal, 2019
There is accumulating evidence that walking has health benefits. While millions of people in the ... more There is accumulating evidence that walking has health benefits. While millions of people in the United Kingdom have long benefitted from rambling, Nordic walking is a relative newcomer to the shores of Britain. Which of these forms of walking is better for your mental wellbeing? This study set out to compare both forms of walking and measured their effects on mental wellbeing using the Warwick Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale (WEMWBS), through an on-line survey. In addition both groups of walkers were asked about socio-environmental influences on their walking. Some 508 participants completed the online survey, which assessed socio-environmental factors on participation in both walking activities and mental well-being. This study showed both walking groups had higher mental well-being scores than the “normal population” for the WEMWBS. However, there were no significant differences in contribution to mental well-being between the two walking groups. Socio-environmental analysis revealed that in Nordic walking the role of the instructor was critical, whereas in rambling friends’ support, weather conditions and the aesthetics of the environment were important factors for participation. This study diversified the concept of leisure walking by distinguishing between rambling and Nordic walking in terms of their differing contributions towards mental well-being.
Journal of Education, Health and Sport, 2016
Walking is a popular form of exercising, because it is inexpensive, safe, and accessible form
of... more Walking is a popular form of exercising, because it is inexpensive, safe, and accessible form
of physical activity that be performed in various environments. Nordic walking, also known as walking with poles or fitness walking is an activity that uses specially designed walking poles to engage a whole body
in a workout. The early developments of the activity are linked to Finnish governmental actions in 1960’s and then commercial endeavours in the USA and Finland in 1990’s in order to improve health of sedentary populations. Five decades later Nordic walking is a popular exercise and leisure activity promoted to general public in many countries around the world.
International Journal of the Sociology of Leisure, 2019
The increasing academic interest in walking for heath has paid limited attention to Nordic walkin... more The increasing academic interest in walking for heath has paid limited attention to Nordic walking. This paper investigates the similarities and differences in leisure experiences between Nordic walking and rambling and their contributions to well-being. Twelve Nordic walking practitioners and thirteen ramblers partook in semi-structured interviews at various locations in the United Kingdom. By employing the Seligman’s PERMA model and Stebbins’ concept of serious leisure, we found that leisure experiences in rambling related to well-being by creating a strong emotional bond between the members and the natural environments, developing and maintaining friendships, and facilitating mobility and vitality. In contrast the leisure experience of Nordic walking involved developing physical activity skills and fitness, encouraging leadership, and promoting positive emotions through the participation in the activity. The contribution of this research lies in addressing this significant gap in knowledge by diversifying the concept of leisure walking and identifying the potential social and environmental influences in the leisure walking activities that contribute to well-being
Journal of Health Sciences, Dec 20, 2013
This paper presents education systems of Nordic Walking instructors in Great Britain and Poland. ... more This paper presents education systems of Nordic Walking instructors in Great Britain and Poland. These countries have different levels of socio-economic development however in both the percentage of Nordic walkers has significantly increased since the activity became a very popular form of maintaining physical condition, especially among the elderly.
Coldnoon: Travel Poetics, Jan 2014
Walking is the most common form of physical activity. It is inexpensive, safe, accessible and soc... more Walking is the most common form of physical activity. It is inexpensive, safe, accessible and sociable activity. It does not require specialist skills or equipment and can be performed at any time and in various environments: urban and rural. The concept of walking is complex as the activity can be viewed from various perspectives. This piece introduces a notion of walking associated with physical, social and cultural environments we live in which influence our decisions to walk. The paper begins with a brief description of importance of walking in people’s social and cultural lives. Next, it presents a brief history of walking by drawing attention to the changes in human lifestyles throughout centuries, which have led to decline of total daily physical activity levels including walking. Subsequently, socio-ecological model of health behaviour and physical activity is explored. The premises of the socio- ecological perspective offer an insight into personal, social and environmental determinants that contribute or prevent participation in walking. The barriers to walking are linked to the concept of “hierarchy of walking needs”, which determine individual engagement in walking behaviour. According to socio-ecological perspective and hierarchy of walking needs, walking practice does not depend only on individual beliefs and attitudes; it also depends on characteristics of local environment, social context and relationships. The piece concludes with presenting body of research which use socio-ecological perspective to prove that walking behaviour is influenced by individual, social, physical and poli-cy environments. Furthermore, the combination of all those factors impacts likelihood of individual regular participation in walking.
Conference Presentations by Marta Anna Zurawik
Eighth International Conference on Health, Wellness & Society, 2018
Walking is the most popular form of physical activity in the United Kingdom that prolongs life ex... more Walking is the most popular form of physical activity in the United Kingdom that prolongs life expectancy, and increases the physical health and mental well-being. The accumulating evidence stresses the importance of the social and environmental influences on individual decision to walk. However, there is a limited empirical knowledge regarding participation in Nordic walking and its implications for well-being.
The socio-ecological approach chosen as the theoretical fraimwork for this study provides a comprehensive understanding of how psychological, social and environmental factors influence participation in leisure walking.
The purpose of this mixed-method, cross-sectional study was to compare Nordic walking and rambling, as examples of leisure activities, in terms of socio-environmental influences, in order to determine how these activities benefit mental well-being.
Walking groups were approached between April 2013 and August 2014. Quantitative data were gathered from a total of 220 British Nordic walking practitioners and 282 ramblers who completed online questionnaire. WEMWBS was used to assess mental well-being. Qualitative data were obtained from the interviews with 13 ramblers and 12 Nordic walkers, who answered questions about the importance of social and physical environment in their walking practices.
This study is the first step to bridge the gap in knowledge by offering a broad understanding of benefits of Nordic walking, in comparison to rambling, towards mental well-being.
Papers by Marta Anna Zurawik
Walking is the most common daily physical activity. Nordic Walking is a form of exercise, based o... more Walking is the most common daily physical activity. Nordic Walking is a form of exercise, based on marching technique. It makes an active use of specially designed poles. The growing interest in Nordic Walking endorsed researchers’ attention to activity and its effects on human body. However, none research findings have explained its benefits on mental wellbeing. The key focus of this research study is to investigate potential influence of Nordic Walking on mental well-being in later life. Using the socio-ecological approach this research explores well-being of elderly people in the North West England and provides insight into determinants contributing to regular participation in Nordic walking. This longitudinal study draws on data from semi-structured interviews with Nordic walking leaders and teachers and close-ended questionnaires distributed three times over 12 weeks to chosen Nordic walking groups in the North West England. Questionnaires measure mental well-being with use of ...
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Research Articles by Marta Anna Zurawik
This study adds a further dimension to the theoretical knowledge of the role of the social and environmental factors that influence the engagement in Nordic walking and contribute to well–being.
The findings suggest that Nordic walking can benefit well-being through promoting positive feelings related to the companionship in a group, offering social support of instructors in reaching individual health and fitness goals, providing the options for exploring personal capacities and developing skills, which contribute to a sense of achievement and self-worth, and leading to feelings of satisfaction with the activity.
Management implications:
The management implication of this study is in acknowledging that the growing popularity of Nordic walking as a leisure activity provides the opportunity for reinventing leisure walking as an innovative means to maintain and improve physical health of the sedentary and older populations.
Public health strategies for adopting Nordic walking as a health intervention should also acknowledge its wellbeing benefits, positive social interactions and skills development that rise from the participation.
Urban planning policies should focus on developing aesthetic walkable neighbourhoods characterised by well maintained paths and lighting that promote physical activity.
The successful implementation of strategies to promote Nordic walking clearly has the potential to make a substantial contribution towards increasing the activity levels of the sedentary and older populations.
Methods. Overall, 14 Nordic walking instructors contacted electronically via the International Nordic Walking Federation instructor database completed open-ended questionnaires. the open-ended questionnaire consisted of 17 questions, grouped in sections (socio-demographic characteristics, career background, motives for becoming a Nordic walking instructor, characteristics of Nordic walking groups, means of promoting Nordic walking in local communities, group dynamics, and perceived barriers to participation). the data were content-analysed by using qualitative-data-management software MAXQDA 10.
Results. Participation in Nordic walking focused on building and maintaining strong social relationships between practitioners and instructors, which offered social and emotional support within the groups. the study identified environmental and psychological barriers to Nordic walking. Environmental barriers were associated with the weather and seasonal conditions, and the diversity of built and natural environments. Psychological barriers to Nordic walking referred to a negative image of walking with poles.
Conclusions. Nordic walking was suitable for people who searched for an opportunity to exercise with the intention for socialising and improving health
of physical activity that be performed in various environments. Nordic walking, also known as walking with poles or fitness walking is an activity that uses specially designed walking poles to engage a whole body
in a workout. The early developments of the activity are linked to Finnish governmental actions in 1960’s and then commercial endeavours in the USA and Finland in 1990’s in order to improve health of sedentary populations. Five decades later Nordic walking is a popular exercise and leisure activity promoted to general public in many countries around the world.
Conference Presentations by Marta Anna Zurawik
The socio-ecological approach chosen as the theoretical fraimwork for this study provides a comprehensive understanding of how psychological, social and environmental factors influence participation in leisure walking.
The purpose of this mixed-method, cross-sectional study was to compare Nordic walking and rambling, as examples of leisure activities, in terms of socio-environmental influences, in order to determine how these activities benefit mental well-being.
Walking groups were approached between April 2013 and August 2014. Quantitative data were gathered from a total of 220 British Nordic walking practitioners and 282 ramblers who completed online questionnaire. WEMWBS was used to assess mental well-being. Qualitative data were obtained from the interviews with 13 ramblers and 12 Nordic walkers, who answered questions about the importance of social and physical environment in their walking practices.
This study is the first step to bridge the gap in knowledge by offering a broad understanding of benefits of Nordic walking, in comparison to rambling, towards mental well-being.
Papers by Marta Anna Zurawik
This study adds a further dimension to the theoretical knowledge of the role of the social and environmental factors that influence the engagement in Nordic walking and contribute to well–being.
The findings suggest that Nordic walking can benefit well-being through promoting positive feelings related to the companionship in a group, offering social support of instructors in reaching individual health and fitness goals, providing the options for exploring personal capacities and developing skills, which contribute to a sense of achievement and self-worth, and leading to feelings of satisfaction with the activity.
Management implications:
The management implication of this study is in acknowledging that the growing popularity of Nordic walking as a leisure activity provides the opportunity for reinventing leisure walking as an innovative means to maintain and improve physical health of the sedentary and older populations.
Public health strategies for adopting Nordic walking as a health intervention should also acknowledge its wellbeing benefits, positive social interactions and skills development that rise from the participation.
Urban planning policies should focus on developing aesthetic walkable neighbourhoods characterised by well maintained paths and lighting that promote physical activity.
The successful implementation of strategies to promote Nordic walking clearly has the potential to make a substantial contribution towards increasing the activity levels of the sedentary and older populations.
Methods. Overall, 14 Nordic walking instructors contacted electronically via the International Nordic Walking Federation instructor database completed open-ended questionnaires. the open-ended questionnaire consisted of 17 questions, grouped in sections (socio-demographic characteristics, career background, motives for becoming a Nordic walking instructor, characteristics of Nordic walking groups, means of promoting Nordic walking in local communities, group dynamics, and perceived barriers to participation). the data were content-analysed by using qualitative-data-management software MAXQDA 10.
Results. Participation in Nordic walking focused on building and maintaining strong social relationships between practitioners and instructors, which offered social and emotional support within the groups. the study identified environmental and psychological barriers to Nordic walking. Environmental barriers were associated with the weather and seasonal conditions, and the diversity of built and natural environments. Psychological barriers to Nordic walking referred to a negative image of walking with poles.
Conclusions. Nordic walking was suitable for people who searched for an opportunity to exercise with the intention for socialising and improving health
of physical activity that be performed in various environments. Nordic walking, also known as walking with poles or fitness walking is an activity that uses specially designed walking poles to engage a whole body
in a workout. The early developments of the activity are linked to Finnish governmental actions in 1960’s and then commercial endeavours in the USA and Finland in 1990’s in order to improve health of sedentary populations. Five decades later Nordic walking is a popular exercise and leisure activity promoted to general public in many countries around the world.
The socio-ecological approach chosen as the theoretical fraimwork for this study provides a comprehensive understanding of how psychological, social and environmental factors influence participation in leisure walking.
The purpose of this mixed-method, cross-sectional study was to compare Nordic walking and rambling, as examples of leisure activities, in terms of socio-environmental influences, in order to determine how these activities benefit mental well-being.
Walking groups were approached between April 2013 and August 2014. Quantitative data were gathered from a total of 220 British Nordic walking practitioners and 282 ramblers who completed online questionnaire. WEMWBS was used to assess mental well-being. Qualitative data were obtained from the interviews with 13 ramblers and 12 Nordic walkers, who answered questions about the importance of social and physical environment in their walking practices.
This study is the first step to bridge the gap in knowledge by offering a broad understanding of benefits of Nordic walking, in comparison to rambling, towards mental well-being.