Influence of systematic standard and Nordic Walking training on exercise tolerance and body weight components in women over 55 years of age

Background . The simplest and the most common form of physical activity used by people in different ages is walking. One of the modification of this form of activity is Nordic walking. The aim of the study was to analyze the changes occurring before and after training in body mass components and exercise tolerance on the influence of physical activity in women (>55 years of age) using systematic and varied forms of march training . Material and methods . 66 women aged 55-64 were examined and divided into two groups: I - 32 persons, participating in the marching training (without poles). II - 34 persons taking part in the marching training with poles. Walking pace during training: from 5 to 6 km/h. The whole training program lasted 12 weeks. Electrocardiographic exercise test, and body composition analysis were performed in each of the examined women before and after the training program. Results. T here were significant changes in VO2peak both in standard walking group and Nordic walking, distance and test duration. In the standard walking group there were significant changes in HRpeak. The evaluation of body composition in both groups concerned significant changes in the same indicators at the same level of significance: percentage fat content, percentage water content inside and outside the cell . There were no correlation between body composition and the results of the exercise test in the standard walking group. In Nordic walking group the correlations were found between the changes in percentage of body fat, body weight, visceral obesity and fitness scores, changes in metabolic cost associated with the exercise test, changes in percentage of body fat content and increase in the duration of the exercise test, as well as percentage changes in body fat content and increase in the distance of the test. After trainings, in both studied groups, a similar level of significant changes in the same body mass indices was obtained in relation to the other components, the results were not significant. The relation between change in exercise tolerance level and changes in body mass composition was shown only in the Nordic walking group