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

Abstract

Walking with poles (Nordic walking, NW) has become popular. We compared training responses of brisk walking (W) or NW on cardiorespiratory and neuromuscular fitness. We randomized 121 non-obese sedentary women (aged 50-60) to an NW or W group (NWG, WG), to train 40 min four times weekly for 13 weeks. Intensity was based on subjective perception of exertion. Cardiorespiratory performance was assessed in four levels corresponding to 50%, 65%, 80% and 100% of peak VO(2). Fifty-four NWG and 53 WG subjects completed the study. The mean intensity was about 50% of heart rate (HR) reserve. The baseline peak VO(2) was 25.8 (SD 3.9) mL/min/kg. Both groups improved peak VO(2) similarly (NWG 2.5 mL/min/kg, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.9-3.3; WG 2.6, CI 1.9-3.3). In the submaximal stages while walking with or without poles, HR and lactate decreased after training in both groups, but the changes were not statistically significantly different between the groups. Of the neuromuscular tests after training, the only significant difference between the groups was in the leg strength in the one-leg squat, favoring WG. In conclusion, both training modes improved similarly health-enhancing physical fitness, and they were feasible and safe.

Nordic Walking - A New Form of Adapted Physical Activity (A Literature Review)

“…In two studies it was shown that regular NW training (8-13 weeks) in women leads to an increase in high density lipoprotein, a reduction in total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein, triacylglycerols and bMI [10], as well as an increase in maximal oxygen uptake [15], although no significant differences were noticed in the analyzed biomechanical and physiological indices between NW and walking without poles. It may prove that both NW and walking without poles have similar long term effects on the female body.…”

“…the author suggests that the acquisition of a good NW technique may cause an improvement in the results obtained on a given distance without any visible increase on the physiological cost [13]. Kukkonen-Harjula et al [15] did not notice any significant differences in maximal oxygen uptake between women who walked for 13 weeks with and without poles. both training programmes similarly improved maximal oxygen uptake [15].…”

“…Kukkonen-Harjula et al [15] did not notice any significant differences in maximal oxygen uptake between women who walked for 13 weeks with and without poles. both training programmes similarly improved maximal oxygen uptake [15].…”

“…there were three papers that met the inclusion criteria. [3,[9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19], ten papers were on the use of NW in rehabilitation [20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29] and three items concerned biomechanical aspects of NW [2,30,31]. One publication was a case study of NW used for treating of a sacral stress fracture that resulted from training overload [32].…”

“…Recently, some studies [10,13,15] have examined the effects of a NW training. Hagner et al [10] assessed the effects of a 12-week NW programme on the basic indices characterizing female health in premenopause, perimenopause and postmenopause.…”