Effect of nordic walking on functional ability and blood pressure in elderly women

The aim of the study was to analyze the effects produced by the use of experimental program (Nordic polewalking) on functional abilities in elderly women. Three-month polewalking led to reduction in the pulse rate at rest, diastolic and systolic blood pressure at the level of significance of 0.01 (p = 0.000). Polewalking improved the values of fitness index (FITIND) and maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) at the level of significance of 0.01 (p = 0.000). On final measurement, three variables, i.e. pulse rate at rest - HRR (E = 73.42 vs. C = 79.68), systolic blood pressure - BPS (E = 118.42 vs. C = 123.65) and diastolic blood pressure - BPD (E = 79.04 vs. C = 83.54), showed lower results in experimental group compared with control group. On final measurement, experimental group showed higher values of the FITIND (E = 81.79 vs. C = 62.66) and VO2max (E = 21.83 vs. C = 16.81) variables as compared to control group. Accordingly, such a moderate physical activity, which is not too vigorous yet intensive enough to induce favorable changes, appears to be recommendable for elderly women. The present study included 60 women from the Novi Sad community, mean age 58.5 +/- 6.90 years, mean body mass 70.9 +/- 15.32 kg and mean body height 164.8 +/- 7.24 cm. Study population was divided into two groups of 30 subjects: experimental (E) group and control (C) group. The experimental program was performed three times a week for three months. The Nordic walking program was so designed for the performers to be in the aerobic work zone throughout the exercise. Nordic walking with poles was performed over three months. Study results revealed functional abilities of the study women to have modified during the longitudinal process.