Health related quality of live as the evaluation instrument of the Nordic walking procedure impacts and effects

Chronic disorders of the locomotion organs belong to serious civilization diseases deteriorating the quality of human life. Medical literature generally accepts the opinion that the way of life is responsible for 50 % of our physical condition. Healthy lifestyle requires that we move regularly. Perceived as a kind of physical exercise, locomotion activities are expected to meet certain criteria - they should be attractive, easy to do, time unlimited, not expensive, and generally available. These criteria seem to be satisfied by what is known as Nordic Walking, an activity recently much promoted. This diploma paper uses a sample of 43 patients / clients suffering locomotion problems to evaluate the effect that Nordic Walking, as applied at the Rehabilitation Spa Sanatorium at Vráž, may have on the Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL), and it assesses the NW for its suitability of inclusion into the spa treatment as a part of group physical exercises. The sample of respondents comprised Czech patients having completed full spa treatment no shorter than 21 days, and German clients of the Spa, who paid for 3-week treatments between 1 July 2007 to 30 November 2007. The practical section of the paper relied on a quantitative method applied through the questionnaire technique, specifically the SF-36 HRQoL Questionnaire and the EDUTOOL Questionnaire. The SF-36 Questionnaire was used to investigate the health-related quality of life in eight principle areas, namely the physical functions; physical limitation of roles; emotional limitation of role; physical and emotional limitation of social functions; pain; mental health; vitality; and overall perception of the state of own health. The ninth area of investigation, employed primarily for internal supervision, rested in the changes of own health. The EDUTOOL Questionnaire (its balneology version designed to assess the basic nutritious, regimen and movement habits) was used to review the results of the educational interventions into the health & social sphere, and specify the period of their effectiveness after the balneology procedures were completed. The paper identified the procedure of Nordic Walking as an activity fit to be incorporated into the spa treatment, and proved it to be capable of improving the health-related quality of the patients' lives. Hypotheses formulated: a) Nordic Walking will enhance the health-related quality of life - confirmed b) The results will depend on proper observance of instructions and consistent application of stereotypes and habits instilled by the education - confirmed c) The German-speaking clients will be more consistent in the application of what they were taught than the Czech-speaking patients - confirmed The diploma paper can be a useful tool of social education suitable to enhance the awareness of this topic