title: Physiological and perceptual responses to Nordic walking in obese middle-aged women in comparison with the normal walk.
abstract: This study aimed to compare physiological and perceptual responses to Nordic walking (NW) in obese women to those of walking (W), and to assess if these responses were modified by a learning period of NW technique. Eleven middle-aged obese women completed exercise trials (5 min each) at 4 km/h, inclinations of -5, 0 and +5%, with and without poles. Ventilation (V(E)) oxygen consumption V(O)(2) energy cost (EC), heart rate (HR), rating of perceived exertion (RPE) and cycle length were measured before and after a 4-week learning period (12 sessions). V(E), V(O)(2), EC, HR and cycle length were significantly higher (P < 0.001) during NW trials than W trials. RPE was significantly diminished (pole x inclination interaction, P = 0.031) when using NW poles compared to W uphill. Significant pole x inclination interactions were observed for V(O)(2) (P = 0.022) and EC (P = 0.022), whereas significant pole x time interaction was found for EC (P = 0.043) and RPE (P = 0.039). Our results confirmed that use of NW poles increased physiological responses at a given speed but decreased RPE in comparison with W during inclined level. Moreover, this is the first study showing that a learning period of NW technique permitted to enhance the difference between EC with NW poles versus the W condition and to decrease the RPE when using NW poles. Thus, although it requires a specific learning of the technique, the NW might be considered like an attractive physical activity with an important public health application.
authors.affiliation: CeBiSM, Center of Bioengineering and Motor Science, University of Trento, Via Matteo Del Ben 5/b, 38068 Rovereto (TN), Italy. helene.figard@aliceadsl.fr
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Figard-Fabre
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Fabre
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Leonardi
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Schena
mesh_terms: D000222:Adaptation, Physiological / Q000502:physiology; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D005082:Physical Exertion; D011434:Proprioception; D019876:Sports Equipment; D016138:Walking