Motivation of Rīga Stradiņš University students to choose the study course “Nordic Walking” during COVID-19

To find out the motivation of Riga Stradiņš University students to choose the study course “Nordic Walking” during Covid-19. The method of qualitative research was used in the study, and the interview was used as a research tool. Respecting the conditions of physical distance set by the emergency, all interviews were conducted remotely - written interviews, in the period from November 30 to December 9, 2020. According to the interview protocol, twenty-three students in total out of thirty-four (20-38 years old) from Riga Stradiņš University who had chosen the study course “Nordic Walking” during Covid-19 were interviewed. During the interviews, students' opinions, reasons and influencing factors for choosing the study course “Nordic walking” during Covid-19 were clarified. The obtained data (answers) were submitted electronically, summarized, analyzed and compared according to the method of content analysis. The research data show that students for choosing study course as most important aspect mention “self and professional development”. The motivation to choose the study course “Nordic walking” in this (Covid-19) semester coincides with the answers to the ‘control question’ regarding the expectation from the study course “Nordic walking”. The same categories are visible - "to learn the technique of Nordic walking in practice and gain theoretical knowledge", as well as "to spend time actively in the fresh air". It is important to note that the changes observed in physical and psycho-emotional well-being during COVID-19 are in contrast to the categories after Nordic walking. The answers provided show "improved mood", "positive emotions", "good self-feeling", "energy", "peace" and "motivation". The motivation of Riga Stradins University students to choose the study course “Nordic Walking” during Covid-19 show that physical movement generally improves not only physical, but also psycho-emotional well-being, thus supporting the importance of physical activity in maintaining and improving both physical and mental health.