Positive effects of Nordic Walking on anthropometric and metabolic variables in women with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Abstract

Summary Objectives Lack of physical activity predisposes people to chronic diseases including diabetes mellitus, obesity, and coronary artery diseases. Identifying forms of physical activity is warranted for prevention of these chronic diseases. Daily exercise has also been considered a significant contributing factor in the management of type 2 diabetes. Nordic Walking is shown to be easy to teach and learn, simple and adaptable to subjects with diabetes and metabolic syndrome. Nordic Walking allows training of about 90% of body muscles in the active propulsion phase, thus increasing energy expenditure by 30 to 50%. Aim of our study was to evaluate the effects of Nordic Walking structured training in a group of female patients with type 2 diabetes, looking at changes in anthropometric, metabolic and bioelectrical variables pre- and post-activities. A follow-up of 6 months after the end of the program was also performed. Equipment and methods Twenty women with type 2 diabetes, aged 40–65 years, were enrolled. The participants were randomized in two groups: (1) 10 women in the Nordic Walking active group, (2) 10 women receiving counseling alone to perform physical activity (control group). Results Results show that diabetic women involved in a 12-week structured Nordic Walking program obtain a significant reduction in HbA 1c (–0.7%), BMI (–0.8 kg·m −2 ) and body weight (–2.4 kg), and a significant increase in HDL cholesterol (+5.8 mg·dL −1 ). Also Handgrip strength was significantly improved (+4.3 kg). At follow-up all changes returned to baseline values. Conclusions Our study shows that a supervised Nordic Walking program determines a significant improvement in metabolic and anthropometric parameters in women with type 2 diabetes.