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Article

The Effect of Nordic Walking Training with Poles with an Integrated Resistance Shock Absorber on the Functional Fitness of Women over the Age of 60

by
Katarzyna Marciniak
1,
Janusz Maciaszek
1,*,
Magdalena Cyma-Wejchenig
1,
Robert Szeklicki
1,
Zuzanna Maćkowiak
1,
Dorota Sadowska
2 and
Rafał Stemplewski
1
1
Poznan University of Physical Education, 61-871 Poznan, Poland
2
National Research Institute, 03-301 Warsaw, Poland
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2020, 17(7), 2197; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17072197
Submission received: 27 February 2020 / Revised: 23 March 2020 / Accepted: 24 March 2020 / Published: 25 March 2020
(This article belongs to the Section Health Behavior, Chronic Disease and Health Promotion)

Abstract

Inadequate levels of physical activity among older people lead to a gradual decline in self-reliance and consequent dependence on other people. The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of Nordic walking training with poles with an integrated resistance shock absorber on the functional fitness of older women. Forty-two women (Mage = 64.7 ± 3.15 years) were randomly assigned into the experimental group—training with poles with an integrated resistance shock absorber, EG (n = 21) and the control active group—training with classic poles, CG (n = 21). Functional fitness was measured with the Senior Fitness Test before and after an intervention lasting for 8 weeks (2 training sessions × 75 minutes per week). Two-way ANOVA revealed statistically significant interaction effects for aerobic endurance (F = 14.47, p < 0.001) and upper body strength (F = 5.98, p < 0.05), indicating greater improvement in the experimental group. Nordic walking training both with classic poles and with poles with an integrated resistance shock absorber is beneficial for older people and improves functional fitness over a short time period. However, the poles with an integrated resistance shock absorber provide additional resistance effort during marching, which causes increased muscle activation and results in improved muscle strength and aerobic endurance. Based on these results, it can be concluded that this kind of training could be applied in the complex health programs of seniors.
Keywords: physical activity; Nordic walking; functional fitness; Senior Fitness Test; functional training; aging physical activity; Nordic walking; functional fitness; Senior Fitness Test; functional training; aging

Share and Cite

MDPI and ACS Style

Marciniak, K.; Maciaszek, J.; Cyma-Wejchenig, M.; Szeklicki, R.; Maćkowiak, Z.; Sadowska, D.; Stemplewski, R. The Effect of Nordic Walking Training with Poles with an Integrated Resistance Shock Absorber on the Functional Fitness of Women over the Age of 60. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2020, 17, 2197. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17072197

AMA Style

Marciniak K, Maciaszek J, Cyma-Wejchenig M, Szeklicki R, Maćkowiak Z, Sadowska D, Stemplewski R. The Effect of Nordic Walking Training with Poles with an Integrated Resistance Shock Absorber on the Functional Fitness of Women over the Age of 60. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2020; 17(7):2197. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17072197

Chicago/Turabian Style

Marciniak, Katarzyna, Janusz Maciaszek, Magdalena Cyma-Wejchenig, Robert Szeklicki, Zuzanna Maćkowiak, Dorota Sadowska, and Rafał Stemplewski. 2020. "The Effect of Nordic Walking Training with Poles with an Integrated Resistance Shock Absorber on the Functional Fitness of Women over the Age of 60" International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 17, no. 7: 2197. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17072197

APA Style

Marciniak, K., Maciaszek, J., Cyma-Wejchenig, M., Szeklicki, R., Maćkowiak, Z., Sadowska, D., & Stemplewski, R. (2020). The Effect of Nordic Walking Training with Poles with an Integrated Resistance Shock Absorber on the Functional Fitness of Women over the Age of 60. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(7), 2197. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17072197

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