Effect of Brisk Walking in 1 or 2 Daily Bouts and Moderate Resistance Training on Lower-Extremity Muscle Strength, Balance, and Walking Performance in Women Who Recently Went Through Menopause: A Randomized, Controlled Trial

Abstract

Background and Purpose. Menopause may induce a phase of rapid decreases in bone mineral density, aerobic fitness, muscle strength, and balance, especially in sedentary women. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects and feasibility of an exercise program of 1 or 2 bouts of walking and resistance training on lower-extremity muscle strength (the force-generating capacity of muscle), balance, and walking performance in women who recently went through menopause. Subjects and Methods. The subjects were 134 women who recently went through menopause. The study was a 15-week, randomized, controlled trial with continuous and fractionated exercise groups. The outcomes assessed were lower-extremity muscle strength, balance, and walking time over 2 km. Feasibility was assessed by questionnaires, interviews, and training logs. Results. One hundred twenty-eight women completed the study. Adherence to the study protocol was 92%. Both continuous and fractionated exercise groups improved equally in lower-extremity muscle strength and walking time but not in balance. Almost 70% of the subjects considered the program to be feasible. Two daily walking sessions caused fewer lower-extremity problems than did continuous walking. Discussion and Conclusion. Brisk walking combined with moderate resistance training is feasible and effective. Fractionating the walking into 2 daily sessions is more feasible than continuous walking. [Asikainen TM, Suni JH, Pasanen ME, et al. Effect of brisk walking in 1 or 2 daily bouts and moderate resistance training on lower-extremity muscle strength, balance, and walking performance in women who recently went through menopause: a randomized, controlled trial. Phys Ther. 2006;86:912-923.]

Improvements in Functional Capacity From Nordic Walking: A Randomized Controlled Trial Among Older Adults

“…In the current study, upper extremity strength increased by 20% in the intervention group, which is in accordance with earlier studies (Karawan, 1992). Previous studies have shown that compared with walking without poles, there is less increase in leg strength during Nordic walking because of the support of the poles, which diminishes the training effect (Asikainen et al, 2006). In the current study, walking with poles led to a moderate increase of 15% in the muscle strength of the lower extremities among sedentary older people.…”

Self‐guided brisk walking training with or without poles: a randomized‐controlled trial in middle‐aged women

“…In our previous walking training study in a similar age group of post‐menopausal women (Asikainen et al, 2006), walking in one or two exercise daily bouts combined with resistance training at home improved lower extremity muscular strength and 2‐km walking time but not balance, using the same tests of neuromuscular fitness as in the present study. This finding is in accordance with our present results on neuromuscular fitness in that walking training increased leg strength more than NW.…”

Comparison of Two Resistance Training Protocols, 6RM versus 12RM, to Increase the 1RM in Healthy Young Adults. A Single‐Blind, Randomized Controlled Trial

“…A minor improvement was to be expected. The 2‐km walking test challenges components of both strength and endurance capacity (Asikainen et al, ). A translation of the muscle strength (1RM) improvements into improvement of physical performance seems logical, but the small increase may also be caused by the learning effect alone.…”