Big attendance at Fitsticks event in Kilcullen

Around a hundred people turned up today to the Fitsticks gathering in Kilcullen Community Centre, organised by the Kildare Sports Partnership, writes Brian Byrne.

The first of a number of such events planned for around the county, the St PatSTICKS gathering brought together members from the ten Stick Activator Pole groups registered with the Partnership in Kildare, as well as people who wanted to try the exercise system for themselves.

The activity was led by Frank Fahey of FitWalk Ireland, and included practice sessions in the Community Centre's main hall and group walks around Kilcullen.

"The idea was to showcase people using the poles, and give people a chance to see what they're like," Donna Berry of Kildare Sports Partnership (above) told the Diary. "It is mainly for older adults, and is particularly good for people who have mobility or balance issues. The sticks give them confidence to go for a walk and be active."

Donna says there are new groups forming around the county regularly, one of the most recent being a 'Fitsticks for Farmers' group established in Johnstownbridge. "We have 16 farmers in that group."

Apart from simply helping with exercise, using the activator sticks — a development of the Nordic Pole — can have rehabilitation and illness mitigation effects. "We have people with Parkinson's, and people getting over operations such as for brain tumours, and you can see the improvement the process makes for those people every week. It's phenomenal."

Research suggests regular use of walking poles can improve posture and gait, reduce joint impact, and increase muscle strength in the upper body. The process also enhances stability and reduces fear of falling.

Photographs use Policy — Privacy Policy