Effects of Nordic walking training on quality of life, balance and functional mobility in elderly: A randomized clinical trial

Abstract

PurposeThere is physiological and biomechanical evidence suggesting a possible advantage of using poles in walking training programs. The purpose of this proof-of-concept study was to test the hypothesis that untrained elderly training Nordic walking for eight weeks will show higher improvements on the functional mobility, quality of life and postural balance than that training without poles; more likely to occur in self-selected walking speed (primary outcome), and the locomotor rehabilitation index than the quality of life, the static balance and the dynamic stability. It was a two-arm randomized sample- and load-controlled study.MethodsThirty-three untrained older people were randomly assigned into Nordic walking (n = 16, age: 64.6±4.1 years old) and free walking (n = 17, age: 68.6±3.9 years old) training groups.ResultsImprovements in the self-selected walking speed (primary outcome, p = 0.011, ES = 0.42 95%CI -0.31 to 1.16), locomotor rehabilitation index (p = 0.013, ES = 0.36; (95%CI -0.39 to 1.10), quality of life (p<0.05), static balance (p<0.05) and dynamic variability (p<0.05) were found in both groups.ConclusionsThe hypothesis was not supported, our findings indicated that after 8 weeks, the Nordic walking training did not result in greater improvements than free walking training for the primary outcome (self-selected walking speed) and most of the secondary outcomes (including locomotor rehabilitation index, static balance, dynamic stability, and psychological and social participation domains of quality of life).Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT03096964.

Nordic walking training in elderly, a randomized clinical trial. Part II: Biomechanical and metabolic adaptations

“…Both training programs were able to increase the optimal walking speed by approximately 0.5 km h −1 . This finding is in line with earlier observations in self-selected walking speed in elderly [52]. The self-selected speed is a feasible proxy for evaluating and monitoring daily ambulatory activity in elderly [54].…”

“…€ Significant differences between pre-and post-training moments of each group [51]. The EMG of DA was reduced after NW training while no differences for the FW group, reducing the C, in combination with improved dynamical stability [52]. Specific mechanisms regulating this transfer will be analyzed in future study.…”

Effects of Nordic Walking on Gait Symmetry in Mild Parkinson’s Disease

“…Subsequently, after 10 min of rest, the individual performed the six-minute walking test (6MWT) on the ground. After 10 min of rest, they were familiarized to the treadmill (INBRAMED, model ATL-Inbrasport, Porto Alegre, Brazil), and rating of perceived exertion (Borg Scale) for 15 min [15].…”

“…The training periodization ( Figure 1) was based on [15] and more details can be observed in supplementary material 1 (Tables S1-S3). We conducted the NW training on the athletics track (400 m) of the School of Physical Education, Physical Therapy and Dance (ESEFID) of the Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS).…”

“…Aerobic exercises improve the functionality, mechanics, and energetic parameters in people with PD [9][10][11]. In this context, Nordic Walking (NW) is an exercise modality that revealed functional improvements in older people with PD [12][13][14][15]. The NW is characterized by the use of poles that requires symmetrical and coordinated movements provided by arm participation to move the body forward [16].…”