Assessment of the selected physiological effects of Nordic Walking performed as a part of a physical exercise program during the second phase of rehabilitation after a myocardial infarction
Journal Title: Rehabilitacja Medyczna - Year 2005, Vol 9, Issue 2
Abstract
Background: Walks and marches are a simple yet effective forms of physical activity, commonly used in the cardiac rehabilitation. It has been recommended recently to combine march training with exercises involving upper limbs. One of the most popular methods is Nordic Walking, during which special poles are used to increase the work of upper part of the body. The aim of the study was to assess the influence of Nordic Walking on the improvement in exercise tolerance and physical performance in patients rehabilitated after a myocardial infarction.Methods: The study population consisted of 30 patients hospitalized in a cardiac rehabilitation ward 14 to 28 days after myocardial infarction. On admission and after completing the rehabilitation program patients performed an exercise test following the modified Bruce protocol, a six-minute walk test and a test assessing physical performance (Fullerton test). 10 subjects were assigned to a control group, which followed a standard training program, and 20 patients to a group which additionally performed a march training using the Nordic Walking method 5 times a week. Each session of the march training lasted 40 minutes and consisted of a 3-kilometer walk interrupted by breaks during which respiratory and stretching exercises were performed. During the march and exercises patients used special poles for Nordic Walking.Results: Exercise tolerance improved in both study groups. However, the increase in the exercise tolerance was greater in the group performing Nordic Walking than in the control group (30% vs. 14%, respectively; P < 0.05). The rate-pressure product during the exercise test increased significantly only in the group performing Nordic Walking (from 18.2 x 103 ± 3.3 x 103 to 20.7 x 103 ± 4.4 x 103; P < 0.05). The improvement in the results of the six-minute walk test was greater in the group performing Nordic Walking (22% in comparison with 17% in the control group; P < 0.05). The results of the test assessing physical performance (Fullerton test) improved in both study groups.Conclusion: The results of this preliminary study indicate that march training using the Nordic Walking method effectively increases exercise tolerance and physical fitness in patients after myocardial infarction. If these findings are confirmed by the results of larger studies, Nordic Walking could be widely used in the early phases of cardiac rehabilitation. The influence of Nordic Walking on the cardiovascular risk factors and quality of life parameters should be investigated.
Authors and Affiliations
Małgorzata Wilk, Piotr Kocur, Anna Różańska, Izabela Przywarska, Tadeusz Owczarski, Ewa Deskur-Śmielecka, Sławomira Borowicz-Bieńkowska
Keywords
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