Download PDF
Int J Sports Med 2011; 32(6): 407-414
DOI: 10.1055/s-0030-1268461
Training & Testing

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Efficacy of Nordic Walking in Obesity Management

H. Figard-Fabre1 , N. Fabre1 , A. Leonardi1 , F. Schena1 , 2
  • 1Center of Bioengineering and Motor Science, University of Trento, Rovereto, Italy
  • 2University of Motor Sciences, University of Verona, Italy
Further Information

Publication History

accepted after revision October 26, 2010

Publication Date:
06 April 2011 (online)

Also available at
    Permissions and Reprints

Abstract

The effects of a Nordic walking (NW) program compared to those of a walking (W) program on physiological and perceptual variables in obese middle-aged women were investigated. Subjects (n=12 NW group, n=11 W group) trained over 12 weeks 3 times.week−1. Body mass, body mass index (BMI), body fat, heart rate (HR), resting blood pressure, peak oxygen consumption (V˙O2peak) were measured before and after the training period. Moreover, HR, rating of perceived exertion (RPE) and adherence were recorded during all training sessions. After the training period body mass, body fat and diastolic blood pressure decreased in both groups (P<0.05) whereas V˙O2peak increased in the NW group (+3.7 ml.min−1.kg−1; P=0.005). During the training sessions, mean HR (P=0.021), HR at preferred walking speed (P=0.020) and % of time at high intensity (P=0.031) were higher in NW than in the W group. Finally, RPE was not influenced by the modality of exercise and NW group showed a higher rate of adherence (91±19% vs. 81±29%; P=0.011). To conclude, NW activity in obese women allows an increase in exercise intensity and adherence to a training program without increasing the perception of effort leading to enhanced aerobic capacity.

Key words

obesity - Nordic walking - training - middle-aged women

References

  • 1 Bautista-Castano I, Molina-Cabrillana J, Montoya-Alonso JA, Serra-Majem L. Variables predictive of adherence to diet and physical activity recommendations in the treatment of obesity and overweight, in a group of Spanish subjects.  Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord. 2004;  28 697-705
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 2 Beaver WL, Wasserman K, Whipp BJ. A new method for detecting anaerobic threshold by gas exchange.  J Appl Physiol. 1986;  60 2020-2027
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 3 Biddle SJ, Fox KR. Motivation for physical activity and weight management.  Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord. 1998;  22 Suppl 2 S39-S47
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 4 Borg G. Borg's perceived exertion and pain scales. Leeds: Human Kinetics; 1998
    Google Scholar
  • 5 Borg G. Perceived exertion as an indicator of somatic stress.  Scand J Rehabil Med. 1970;  2 92-98
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 6 Brownell KD. Exercise and obesity treatment: psychological aspects.  Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord. 1995;  19 Suppl 4 S122-S125
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 7 Browning RC, Kram R. Energetic cost and preferred speed of walking in obese vs. normal weight women.  Obes Res. 2005;  13 891-899
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 8 Castellani W, Ianni L, Ricca V, Mannucci E, Rotella CM. Adherence to structured physical exercise in overweight and obese subjects: a review of psychological models.  Eat Weight Disord. 2003;  8 1-11
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 9 Church TS, Earnest CP, Morss GM. Field testing of physiological responses associated with Nordic Walking.  Res Q Exerc Sport. 2002;  73 296-300
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 10 Church TS, Earnest CP, Skinner JS, Blair SN. Effects of different doses of physical activity on cardiorespiratory fitness among sedentary, overweight or obese postmenopausal women with elevated blood pressure: a randomized controlled trial.  JAMA. 2007;  297 2081-2091
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 11 Collins EG, Langbein WE, Orebaugh C, Bammert C, Hanson K, Reda D, Edwards LC, Littooy FN. Cardiovascular training effect associated with polestriding exercise in patients with peripheral arterial disease.  J Cardiovasc Nurs. 2005;  20 177-185
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 12 Coquart JB, Lemaire C, Dubart AE, Luttembacher DP, Douillard C, Garcin M. Intermittent versus continuous exercise: effects of perceptually lower exercise in obese women.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2008;  40 1546-1553
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 13 Di Pietro L, Dziura J, Blair SN. Estimated change in physical activity level (PAL) and prediction of 5-year weight change in men: the Aerobics Center Longitudinal Study.  Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord. 2004;  28 1541-1547
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 14 Durnin JV, Womersley J. Body fat assessed from total body density and its estimation from skinfold thickness: measurements on 481 men and women aged from 16 to 72 years.  Br J Nutr. 1974;  32 77-97
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 15 Ekkekakis P, Lind E. Exercise does not feel the same when you are overweight: the impact of self-selected and imposed intensity on affect and exertion.  Int J Obes (Lond). 2006;  30 652-660
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 16 Figard-Fabre H, Fabre N, Leonardi A, Schena F. Physiological and perceptual responses to Nordic walking in obese middle-aged women in comparison with the normal walk.  Eur J Appl Physiol. 2010;  108 1141-1151
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 17 Garrow JS, Summerbell CD. Meta-analysis: effect of exercise, with or without dieting, on the body composition of overweight subjects.  Eur J Clin Nutr. 1995;  49 1-10
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 18 Gimenez M, Servera E, Salinas W. Square-wave endurance exercise test (SWEET) for training and assessment in trained and untrained subjects. I. Description and cardiorespiratory responses.  Eur J Appl Physiol. 1982;  49 359-368
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 19 Grant S, Todd K, Aitchison TC, Kelly P, Stoddart D. The effects of a 12-week group exercise programme on physiological and psychological variables and function in overweight women.  Public Health. 2004;  118 31-42
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 20 Haapanen N, Miilunpalo S, Pasanen M, Oja P, Vuori I. Association between leisure time physical activity and 10-year body mass change among working-aged men and women.  Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord. 1997;  21 288-296
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 21 Hagner W, Hagner-Derengowska M, Wiacek M, Zubrzycki IZ. Changes in level of VO2max, blood lipids, and waist circumference in the response to moderate endurance training as a function of ovarian aging.  Menopause. 2009;  16 1009-1013
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 22 Harriss DJ, Atkinson G. International Journal of Sports Medicine – Ethical Standards in Sport and Exercise Science Research.  Int J Sports Med. 2009;  30 701-702
    Google Scholar
  • 23 Haskell WL, Lee IM, Pate RR, Powell KE, Blair SN, Franklin BA, Macera CA, Heath GW, Thompson PD, Bauman A. Physical activity and public health: updated recommendation for adults from the American College of Sports Medicine and the American Heart Association.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2007;  39 1423-1434
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 24 Hill JO, Wyatt HR. Role of physical activity in preventing and treating obesity.  J Appl Physiol. 2005;  99 765-770
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 25 Jacobsen DJ, Donnelly JE, Snyder-Heelan K, Livingston K. Adherence and attrition with intermittent and continuous exercise in overweight women.  Int J Sports Med. 2003;  24 459-464
    Article in Thieme ConnectPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 26 Jacobson BH, Caldwell B, Kulling FA. Comparison of hiking stick use on lateral stability while balancing with and without a load.  Percept Mot Skills. 1997;  85 347-350
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 27 Jacobson BH, Wright T, Dugan B. Load carriage energy expenditure with and without hiking poles during inclined walking.  Int J Sports Med. 2000;  21 356-359
    Article in Thieme ConnectPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 28 Knight CA, Caldwell GE. Muscular and metabolic costs of uphill backpacking: are hiking poles beneficial?.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2000;  32 2093-2101
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 29 Kocur P, Deskur-Smielecka E, Wilk M, Dylewicz P. Effects of Nordic Walking training on exercise capacity and fitness in men participating in early, short-term inpatient cardiac rehabilitation after an acute coronary syndrome – a controlled trial.  Clin Rehabil. 2009; 
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 30 Kuczmarski RJ, Fanelli MT, Koch GG. Ultrasonic assessment of body composition in obese adults: overcoming the limitations of the skinfold caliper.  Am J Clin Nutr. 1987;  45 717-724
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 31 Kukkonen-Harjula K, Hiilloskorpi H, Manttari A, Pasanen M, Parkkari J, Suni J, Fogelholm M, Laukkanen R. Self-guided brisk walking training with or without poles: a randomized-controlled trial in middle-aged women.  Scand J Med Sci Sports. 2007;  17 316-323
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 32 Langbein WE, Collins EG, Orebaugh C, Maloney C, Williams KJ, Littooy FN, Edwards LC. Increasing exercise tolerance of persons limited by claudication pain using polestriding.  J Vasc Surg. 2002;  35 887-893
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 33 Perri MG, Martin AD, Leermakers EA, Sears SF, Notelovitz M. Effects of group- versus home-based exercise in the treatment of obesity.  J Consult Clin Psychol. 1997;  65 278-285
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 34 Porcari JP, Hendrickson TL, Walter PR, Terry L, Walsko G. The physiological responses to walking with and without Power Poles on treadmill exercise.  Res Q Exerc Sport. 1997;  68 161-166
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 35 Rodgers CD, VanHeest JL, Schachter CL. Energy expenditure during submaximal walking with Exerstriders.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1995;  27 607-611
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 36 Ross R, Janssen I. Physical activity, total and regional obesity: dose-response considerations.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2001;  33 S521-S527 discussion S528–S529
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 37 Saris WH, Blair SN, van Baak MA, Eaton SB, Davies PS, Di Pietro L, Fogelholm M, Rissanen A, Schoeller D, Swinburn B, Tremblay A, Westerterp KR, Wyatt H. How much physical activity is enough to prevent unhealthy weight gain? Outcome of the IASO 1st Stock Conference and consensus statement.  Obes Rev. 2003;  4 101-114
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 38 Schiffer T, Knicker A, Dannohl R, Struder HK. Energy cost and pole forces during Nordic walking under different surface conditions.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2009;  41 663-668
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 39 Schjerve IE, Tyldum GA, Tjonna AE, Stolen T, Loennechen JP, Hansen HE, Haram PM, Heinrich G, Bye A, Najjar SM, Smith GL, Slordahl SA, Kemi OJ, Wisloff U. Both aerobic endurance and strength training programmes improve cardiovascular health in obese adults.  Clin Sci (Lond). 2008;  115 283-293
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 40 Schmitz KH, Jacobs Jr DR, Leon AS, Schreiner PJ, Sternfeld B. Physical activity and body weight: associations over ten years in the CARDIA study. Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults.  Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord. 2000;  24 1475-1487
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 41 Seidell JC, Flegal KM. Assessing obesity: classification and epidemiology.  Br Med Bull. 1997;  53 238-252
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 42 Slentz CA, Duscha BD, Johnson JL, Ketchum K, Aiken LB, Samsa GP, Houmard JA, Bales CW, Kraus WE. Effects of the amount of exercise on body weight, body composition, and measures of central obesity: STRRIDE – a randomized controlled study.  Arch Intern Med. 2004;  164 31-39
    Google Scholar
  • 43 Tordi N, Dugue B, Klupzinski D, Rasseneur L, Rouillon JD, Lonsdorfer J. Interval training program on a wheelchair ergometer for paraplegic subjects.  Spinal Cord. 2001;  39 532-537
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 44 Tryon WW, Goldberg JL, Morrison DF. Activity decreases as percentage overweight increases.  Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord. 1992;  16 591-595
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 45 Vallier JM, Bigard AX, Carre F, Eclache JP, Mercier J. Determination of lactic and ventilatory thresholds. Position of the Societe Francaise de Medecine du Sport (French Sports Medicine Society).  Science & Sports. 2000;  15 133-140
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 46 Wasserman K, McIlroy MB. Detecting the Threshold of anaerobic metabolism in cardiac patients during exercise.  Am J Cardiol. 1964;  14 844-852
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 47 Wasserman K, Whipp BJ, Koyl SN, Beaver WL. Anaerobic threshold and respiratory gas exchange during exercise.  J Appl Physiol. 1973;  35 236-243
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 48 Williamson DF, Madans J, Anda RF, Kleinman JC, Kahn HS, Byers T. Recreational physical activity and ten-year weight change in a US national cohort.  Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord. 1993;  17 279-286
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 49 Wing RR. Physical activity in the treatment of the adulthood overweight and obesity: current evidence and research issues.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1999;  31 S547-S552
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 50 Wong CY, O’Moore-Sullivan T, Leano R, Byrne N, Beller E, Marwick TH. Alterations of left ventricular myocardial characteristics associated with obesity.  Circulation. 2004;  110 3081-3087
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 51 World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe . http://www.euro.who.int 2006; 
    PubMed

Correspondence

Dr. Hélène Figard-Fabre

Center of Bioengineering and

Motor Science

University of Trento

Via Matteo Del Ben 5/b

38068 ROVERETO

Italy

Phone: +39/0464/488103

Fax: +39/0464/488141

Email: helene.figard@aliceadsl.fr