Effects of Nordic Walking and Pilates exercise programs on blood glucose and lipid profile in overweight and obese postmenopausal women in an experimental, nonrandomized, open-label, prospective controlled trial

Abstract

Exercise training in accordance with the NW model causes statistically and clinically more significant changes in glucose and basic blood lipid levels than do Pilates and dietary intervention alone.

Menopause and exercise

“…For example, Nordic walking, a combination of walking and cross-country skiing like movement (including pushing oneself over the ground using poles), reduces weight gain in postmenopausal women. 23,52 Nordic walking results in weight loss during menopause (6.4%), and decreases in blood glucose (3.8%) and lipoproteins (10.4%-16.7%), all of which was substantially better than either Pilates or dietary intervention alone at 10 weeks. 23 Long-term (12 moþ) exercise programs in postmenopausal women have been associated with positive changes in basal metabolic rate, skeletal muscle mass, percent fat, and other anthropometric and body composition variables.…”

“…23,52 Nordic walking results in weight loss during menopause (6.4%), and decreases in blood glucose (3.8%) and lipoproteins (10.4%-16.7%), all of which was substantially better than either Pilates or dietary intervention alone at 10 weeks. 23 Long-term (12 moþ) exercise programs in postmenopausal women have been associated with positive changes in basal metabolic rate, skeletal muscle mass, percent fat, and other anthropometric and body composition variables. 53 These findings are supported by data from the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation study that has associated regular physical activity with beneficial changes in body composition and fat distribution in peri-and postmenopausal women, 54 specifically lower BMI, less central adiposity, and lower prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors such as diabetes and metabolic syndrome.…”

“…23 Physical activity improves the quality of life for people of all ages and may increase lifespan. [24][25][26][27] In fact, data from the Dose-Response to Exercise in Postmenopausal Women study, which examined the health benefits of the 50%, 100%, and 150% of the NIH Consensus Panel physical activity recommendation in postmenopausal women, illustrated that exercise-induced improvements in quality of life were dose-dependent and independent of weight change.…”

Physical Activity Initiated by Employer and its health effects: an eight-week follow-up study

“…Leisure time PA is known to have positive effects on fitness and cardiovascular function [12] and thereby should be a beneficial contributor to employees in various occupations. Increasing PA may affect blood pressure and blood lipids in a favorable way [13,14]. Also, PA can induce enhanced glycemic control through lowering the HbA1c-levels in clinical settings [15].…”

Approaches to the creation of prophylactic – health-improving classes of women of the second mature age

“…Система занять «скандинавською ходьбою» створює сприятливі гормональні зрушення у жінок з підвищеною масою тіла після менопаузи, або є дієвим механізмом під-тримки жінок в період менопаузи [17].…”