- With Mayo Clinic physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist
Edward R. Laskowski, M.D.
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Edward R. Laskowski, M.D.
Edward R. Laskowski, M.D.
Dr. Edward Laskowski is certified by the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and is a fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine. He is co-director of the Mayo Clinic Sports Medicine Center and a professor at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine.
He has been on the staff of Mayo Clinic since 1990 and specializes in sports medicine, fitness, strength training and stability training. He works with a multidisciplinary team of physical medicine, rehabilitation and orthopedic specialists, physical therapists and sports psychologists.
Dr. Laskowski is an elite-level skier and approaches sports medicine from the perspective of a physician and an athlete. In addition to skiing, he is an avid hiker, cyclist and climber.
In 2006, President George W. Bush appointed Dr. Laskowski to a two-year term on the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports.
Dr. Laskowski was a member of the medical staff of the Olympic Polyclinic at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City and was involved in medical coverage for the Chicago Marathon. He serves as a consulting physician to the National Hockey League Players' Association and is a featured lecturer at the American College of Sports Medicine's Team Physician Course.
Dr. Laskowski, a Cary, Ill., native, has contributed to Mayo Clinic's CD-ROM on sports, health and fitness, a Web site guide to self-care, and hundreds of Mayo Clinic articles and booklets in print and online. He is a contributing editor to Mayo Clinic's "Fitness for EveryBody" book.
"There are many myths and misconceptions about exercise and fitness in general, and also many traditions that don't stand up to scientific scrutiny," he says. "My goal is to provide the most up-to-date and accurate information on sports medicine and fitness topics in a way that you can practically incorporate into your life."
Fitness basics (4)
- Exercise and illness: Should you exercise when you're sick?
- Heart rate: What's normal?
- Body fat analyzers: How accurate are they?
- see all in Fitness basics
Aerobic exercise (10)
- Weighted hula hoops: Exercise gimmick or good idea?
- Elliptical machines: Better than treadmills?
- Air pollution and exercise: Is outdoor exercise risky?
- see all in Aerobic exercise
Strength training (10)
- Weightlifting belt: Do I need one?
- Sit-ups: Is it OK to stabilize my feet?
- Flat stomach: Can wearing a girdle tighten abdominal muscles?
- see all in Strength training
Sports nutrition (4)
- 'Natural' steroids: Are they safe?
- Insulin: Can it boost athletic performance?
- Energy drinks: OK for athletes?
- see all in Sports nutrition
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Question
Walking poles: Good way to maximize a daily walk?
Could walking poles help me get more out of my daily walk and give me a better workout?
Answer
from Edward R. Laskowski, M.D.
Walking poles work your arms, shoulders, chest and upper back muscles through a full range of motion as you walk. Think of it as cross-country skiing for walkers: With one walking pole in each hand, you grip the handles and push off with each stride. The arm movement adds intensity to your aerobic workout, which can help you burn more calories. The arm movement also fosters balance and stability. And that's not all. Walking poles take some of the load off your lower back, hips and knees, which can be helpful if you have arthritis or back problems. Most walking poles have rubber tips that grab the pavement and wrist straps that secure the poles to your arms. Sturdier walking poles designed for hiking are known as hiking or trekking poles.
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