Effects of walking exercise on nocturia in the elderly

Abstract

We investigated whether nocturia in the elderly was improved by walking exercise, which involved walking rapidly for 30 min or more in the evening or night for 8 weeks. A questionnaire related to micturition and exercise, blood pressure, body composition analysis, blood biochemistry tests, and urinalysis were performed before and after 8 weeks of exercise to investigate the effects of walking. Thirty men (71 years old on average) continued the walking exercise for long enough to undergo evaluation. The number of episodes of nocturia decreased significantly (p < 0.001) from 3.3 ± 0.7 to 1.9 ± 0.8 after 8 weeks of walking exercise. The daytime urinary frequency, blood pressure, body weight, body fat ratio, edema ratio, serum catecholamines, triglycerides, and total cholesterol were also decreased. After 8 weeks of exercise, 20 of the subjects (67%) stated that sleep was deeper than before exercise. Assessment of the overall improvement showed that excellent or good results were obtained in 18 patients (60%). The main factor related to the influence of walking exercise on nocturia was that sleep became deeper, which increased the arousal threshold bladder volume. Walking exercise may also have a preventive effect on lifestyle-related diseases.

Incontinence and Nocturia in Older Adults After Hip Fracture: Analysis of a Secondary Outcome for a Parallel Group, Randomized Controlled Trial

“…In addition, studies on healthy community-dwelling older adults found that maintaining an active lifestyle can reduce the risk of developing UI (Bo & Herbert, 2013). For nocturia, there has been limited investigation; however, a small study ( n = 30 men) noted a decrease in symptoms and better sleep associated with a walking program (Sugaya et al, 2007). …”

Physical Activity and Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia-Related Outcomes and Nocturia

“…Two previous studies have examined the potential of PA intervention to reduce nocturia. Sugaya et al (38) enroled 47 elderly men in a walking intervention. Among the 30 men who completed assessment, episodes of nocturia and daytime urinary frequency significantly decreased and nighttime sleep was deeper for 67% of subjects.…”

“…Individuals who are more physically active have also been found to have lower levels of systemic inflammation (3), which may potentially reduce their risk of BPH-related outcomes. Sugaya et al (38) hypothesized that the association between PA and nocturia could be due to improved (deeper) sleep (21). If this is indeed the mechanism behind the association, PA may not have a significant effect on BPH/LUTS more broadly because it fails to address the other LUTS associated with the condition but does address nocturia associated with sleep disturbance.…”

“…Only one study, to our knowledge (38), has explicitly studied this in men. In addition, studies on nocturia among men tend to not distinguish nocturia concurrent with BPH-related outcomes from nocturia that occurs in the absence of other BPH-related outcomes (21).…”

Investigation of biochemical factors related to non-bothersome nocturnal urination

“…Therefore, treatment of sleep problems is important for improving nocturia. Besides medication, walking for 30 minutes or more in the evening also decreases the number of nocturnal urinations and induces better sleep (15). The main factor related to the influence of walking on nocturia is that sleep becomes deeper, which may increase the arousal threshold bladder volume.…”