Faces rosy with effort and all smiles. But above all, conquered. This small group met on the site of Sainte-Neige, in Neufchef, has just concluded its “baptism” of Nordic walking. Led by Jean-Marcel Martin, one of the coaches of Foc Athlétisme, these novices, who confided that they were more accustomed to hiking, should join the ranks of this family of walkers which has more and more followers every year. This Thursday, the Mosl Nordicwalk, an annual event bringing together all the Moselle clubs, gave the departmental athletics committee and the Floorange club the opportunity to further expand the ranks of insiders by offering a sporting and convivial day in the Valley of the Fensch. They were nearly a hundred, all levels combined, to have answered the call of the organizers.
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At school too!
After a joint warm-up, the regulars, accompanied by coaches, set off on 10 or 15km courses crossing several municipalities. Beginners were able to discover the basic technique before consolidating it during a 5 km loop covered alongside a coach.
The children were also invited to familiarize themselves with the discipline. “Since last September, programs have been developed in schools, particularly in Marspich, Rurange-lès-Thionville or Florange, and training is offered to teachers to develop the activity”, indicates Laurence Klein, project manager at the departmental committee of ‘Athletics. The Covid has changed sports habits in schools and pushed teachers to experiment with other practices by favoring outdoor sports. “It just made sense,” continues the athletic-health coach, who insists on the benefits of Nordic walking: “During a session, 90% of the muscles work and you burn 40% more calories than during a session. a traditional march. “In a post-lockdown context where the French have gained an average of three kilos, where obesity, especially among young people, is a growing problem, this activity is particularly suitable and easy to set up. »
A complete sport adapted to all profiles: “Every Monday in Florange, I train people with disabilities, cancer or who suffer from a pathology, abounds Patrick Scheins, the president of the athletics section of the Foc . It is also open to pregnant women. »
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