Comparison of 12 Weeks of Nordic Walking and Recreational Walking to Improve Cardiorespiratory Capacity and Fitness in Older Women

(Cokorilo et al., 2022)

J. Clin. Med. 2022, 11(10), 2900; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm11102900

A total of 166 women (50-69 years) were proportionally assigned into a Control, Nordic Walking (NW) or Recreational Walking (RW) group.   Using the Urho Kaleva Kekkonen (UKK) walking test, measurements were collected before and after this 12-week study.

Overall outcomes indicated that:

• NW is a secure, viable, and helpful form of physical training, improving several components of fitness in older adults.
• NW is more effective at delivering cardiorespiratory benefits than RW.
• NW is more effective in maintaining overall health and function.
• NW can improve muscle strength, flexibility and aerobic endurance capacity.  RW needs an additional muscular strength programme to make strength improvements. 
• NW had improved average heart rate (HR) explained by the muscular activity of upper body.
• NW had an increase of 30.2% in VO2max versus a 23.39 % increase in RW.

However, this study contradicted the majority of studies complied in a systematic review and meta-analysis, and indicated that both NW and RW produced similar benefits.  Possible reasons for this contradiction include:

• The UKK test conditions specifies participants walk briskly during the 2-kilometre distance.  In RW a rapid walking movement and higher gait speed is likely, whereas NW employs a fluid and greater range-of-motion (ROM) movement, possibly adding to the time to complete the test.
• If the NW technique is weak and the poles do not push into the ground to instigate propulsion, the dynamic stability is compromised and movement is not as efficient and fast.
• It is not stated if the UKK test was conducted in a straight line or on a circular track.  Anecdotal testing has indicated that a circular track may be inhibiting to the NW technique.
• A further consideration would be to have the NW group complete the pre and post UKK test, without poles, therefore eliminating any issues with technique.

Conclusions:

This study concluded that NW group training resulted in slightly greater benefits than RW group training.

Summary by June Stevenson – INWA National Trainer New Zealand
Medicine Certified Trainer, Sports Studies University of Otago, Auckland University of Technology (Graduate Diploma), Sports and Excercise