The Cardiorespiratory Response while Nordic Walking vs. Regular Walking Among Middle-Aged to Older Adults

Authors

Thomas R. Atwood, University of Wisconsin - Eau ClaireFollow
Alyssa R. Horton, University of Wiscounsin - Eau ClaireFollow
Natalie G. Hanson, University of Wisconsin - Eau ClaireFollow
Katelyn N. Moyer, University of Wisconsin - Eau ClaireFollow
Saori I. Braun, University of Wisconsin-Eau ClaireFollow
Nicholas M. Beltz, University of Wisconsin-Eau ClaireFollow
Jeffrey M. Janot, University of Wisconsin - Eau ClaireFollow

Abstract

Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology Volume 5: Issue 1, Article 6, 2024. Roughly five million deaths worldwide are accounted for by physical inactivity. Furthermore, there is a strong dose-response relationship between physical inactivity and all-cause mortality, cardiovascular health, and metabolic health. Recently, Nordic walking (NW) has been introduced as a mode of exercise where one can increase energy expenditure compared to regular walking (RW) due to increased engagement of upper body musculature using poles while walking. According to established findings, most work has been done in a laboratory which can interrupt natural NW mechanics. Therefore, this study's purpose was to measure the cardiorespiratory and energy expenditure differences in NW and RW in a field setting. Twenty middle-aged and older adults participated in this study. The initial session included Nordic walking familiarization, 10-m gait speed test, and a peak oxygen uptake (VO₂peak) test. The two exercise sessions consisted of either NW or RW on an indoor track for 30-min. All metabolic variables were measured via COSMED K5. A paired-sample t-test revealed a significant difference between NW and RW for %VO₂peak values (p = .008), kcal· min^-1 (p = .005), and total kcal expenditure (p = .001). No significant difference was found for preferred gait speed (p =.485) between NW and RW. NW elicited a higher %VO₂peak, kcal· min^-1, and total kcal expenditure compared to walking. In turn, this study agrees with previous research and supports the use of NW to increase energy expenditure to potentially improve one’s metabolic and cardiovascular health.

Repository Citation

Atwood, Thomas R.; Horton, Alyssa R.; Hanson, Natalie G.; Moyer, Katelyn N.; Braun, Saori I.; Beltz, Nicholas M.; and Janot, Jeffrey M. (2024) "The Cardiorespiratory Response while Nordic Walking vs. Regular Walking Among Middle-Aged to Older Adults," Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology: Vol. 5: Iss. 1, Article 6.
Available at: https://digitalscholarship.unlv.edu/scholarship_kin/vol5/iss1/6