Nordic Walking Training for Older People (Pole walking)

Effects of Nordic Walking Training in Energetic, Mechanical and Neuromuscular Parameters of Elderly. A Randomized Clinical Trail

Objective: to assess by means of a randomized clinical trial the effects of eight weeks of Nordic walking and free walking training on quality of life (QoL), static balance, dynamic variability, self-selected walking speed (SWS) and locomotor rehabilitation index (LRI), parameters of pendular mechanism [external (Wext), internal (Wint) and total mechanical work (Wtot), Recovery (R), Cost of Transport (C)], Electromyographic parameters (Average signal and co-contraction of the Anterior deltoid (AD), triceps brachii (TB), vastus lateralis (VL), biceps femoris (BF), anterior tibial (AT) and medial gastrocnemius (MG) muscles, heart rate of exercise (HRexercise) - and the rate of perceived exertion (RPE), in sedentary elderly.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Sedentary Lifestyle; Age Problems
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Nordic walking training; Other: Free walking training

Detailed Description

Introduction: Considering the increase in the elderly population and their life expectancy, together with the expansion of Nordic walking (NW) interventions as a training method for the elderly, there is a need of preventive studies of RCTs and with methodological good quality approach to enable physical education, health and rehabilitation professionals to make decisions regarding the type, the volume and the intensity of NW exercise in promoting the health of the sedentary elderly. Objectives: The aim of this study is to evaluate, through a randomized clinical trial, the effects of eight weeks of NW and FW training on quality of life (QoL), static balance, dynamic variability, self-selected treadmill walking speed (SSWSTreadmill), Locomotor rehabilitation (LRI) Parameters of Pendular Mechanism (external, internal and total mechanical work -Wext, Wint, Wtot, Recovery -R,Cost of Transport - C), Electromyographic parameters (Average signal and co-contraction of the AD, TB, VL, BF, AT and MG muscles), heart rate of exercise - HRexercise and the rate of perceived exertion (RPE), in sedentary elderly. of sedentary elderly. Experimental Design: Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial (RCT). Study Site: School of Physical Education, Physiotherapy and Dance (ESEFID), Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Methods: The sample comprised 33 sedentary participants randomly divided into two groups (Nordic walking group and Free walking group who will perform training for 8 weeks.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 32
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Brazil
  • Rio Grande do Sul
    • Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, 90690-200
      • Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 60 years to 80 years (Adult, Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Genders Eligible for Study: All

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Sedentary elderly people
• Aged between 60 and 80

Exclusion Criteria:

• Smoking
• Show chronic pain or presence of migraine or nausea in daily life;
• History of labyrinthitis

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: Single

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Nordic walking; Experimental: Nordic walking Training The total period of training was composed by 8-week of walking with poles, three sessions per week. The cycles were divided into eight microcycles composed by three training sessions. Each training session took 60 min. Nordic walking aerobics training were used during the training period. These exercises were performed alternating volume and intensity. Exercise intensities were controlled using the cardiac monitor, and the zone was since 70% to 105% of the heart rate at the second ventilatory threshold. And volume was controlled using the time of the session.	Other: Nordic walking training; The training period begin for both groups, will be comprised of eight weeks of duration, with frequency of three weekly sessions. Volume (session duration in minutes) and intensity (percentage of the heart rate at second threshold ) were the same for both groups, only differing in the use (NW) or not of the poles (FW). Each session will have of the Initial Part or warming-up, the Main Part and Final Part or cooling-down.
Experimental: Free Walking; Experimental: Free walking Training The total period of training was composed by a 8-week cycles of walking without poles, with three sessions per week. The cycles were divided into eight microcycles composed by three training sessions. Each training session took 60 min. Free walking aerobics training were used during the training period. These exercises were performed alternating volume and intensity. Exercise intensities were controlled using the cardiac monitor, and the zone was since 70% to 105% of the heart rate at the second ventilatory threshold. And volume was controlled using the time of the session.	Other: Free walking training; The training period begin for both groups, will be comprised of eight weeks of duration, with frequency of three weekly sessions. Volume (session duration in minutes) and intensity (percentage of the heart rate at second threshold ) were the same for both groups, only differing in the use (NW) or not of the poles (FW). Each session will have of the Initial Part or warming-up, the Main Part and Final Part or cooling-down.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Self-selected walking speed - SSWS	This outcome will be measure through sub-maximal test of walking treadmill, using the portable gas analyser Equipment.	Change from baseline SSWS at 8 weeks

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Quality of life (QoL)	The quality of life will be estimated using the World Health Organization Quality of Life Project for elderly people (WHOQOL) instrument.	Change from baseline QoL at 8 weeks
Locomotor rehabilitation index (LRI)	This outcome will be measure through of the measure on sub-maximal test of walking treadmill, using the three-dimensional motion analysis system (VICON).	Change from baseline LRI at 8 weeks
Oxygen consumption (VO2)	This outcome will be measure through of the of the walking test on treadmill and too using the portable gas analyzer equipment (units in ml/kg/min).	from baseline to 8 weeks
Cost of transport (C)	This outcome will be measured through of the walking test on a treadmill will be collected the oxigem consumption using the portable gas analyzer equipment (measure unit in ml.O2.km).	from baseline to 8 weeks
Optimal Walking Speed (OPT)	This outcome will be measure through of the registered image movement analysis using the three-dimensional motion analysis system (VICON) of the walking test on treadmill (unit in km/h)	from baseline to 8 weeks
Oxygen Consumption at anaerobic threshold (VO2VT2)	This outcome will be measure through maximal progressive treadmill test, using the portable gas analyser VO2000 equipment.	from baseline to 8 weeks
Peak Oxygen Consumption (VO2peak)	This outcome will be measure through maximal progressive treadmill test, using the portable gas analyser VO2000 equipment.	from baseline to 8 weeks
Heart Rate at anaerobic threshold (HRVT2)	This outcome will be measure through maximal progressive treadmill test, using a heart rate monitor (POLAR, FT1).	from baseline to 8 weeks
Rest Heart Rate (HRrest)	This outcome will be measure using a heart rate monitor (POLAR, FT1). The participants will remain seated in a quiet and controlled temperature room during 15 minutes prior to measurement of the heart rate.	from baseline to 8 weeks
Exercise Heart Rate (HRexercise)	This outcome will be measure using a heart rate monitor (POLAR, FT1) measurement of the heart rate of exercise during the walking test on treadmill at different speed.	from baseline to 8 weeks
Rest Arterial Systolic Blood Pressure (SBPrest)	This outcome will be measured through blood pressure ambulatory monitor (Meditech). The participants will remain seated in a quiet and controlled temperature room during 15 minutes prior to measurement of the arterial systolic blood pressure.	from baseline to 8 weeks
Rest Arterial Diastolic Blood Pressure (DBPrest)	This outcome will be measured through blood pressure ambulatory monitor (Meditech, ABPM-04 equipment). The participants will remain seated in a quiet and controlled temperature room during 15 minutes prior to measurement of the arterial systolic blood pressure.	Change from baseline DBPrest at 8 weeks
Parameters of Static balance (Amplitude ans Speed of Center of pressure in X, Y and Z axis)	This outcome will be measure through of Static Balance in Force Platform (AMTI)	Change from baseline Parameters of Static Balance at 8 weeks
Parameters of Dynamic variability (coefficient of variation (CoV) of Stride length (SL), stride frequency (SF), swing time (ST), and contact time (CT)	This outcome will be measure through of the variability on sub-maximal test of walking treadmill, using the three-dimensional motion analysis system (VICON).	Change from baseline Parameters of Dynamic Balance at 8 weeks
Spatial Temporal Parameters (stride frequency, stride length, swing time and contact time)	This outcome will be measure through of the registered image movement analysis using the three-dimensional motion analysis system (VICON) of the walking test on treadmill at different speed of walking (1,2,3,4 and 5 km/h), 5 minutes at each speed.	Change from baseline Spatial Temporal parameters at 8 weeks
Parameters of Pendular Mechanism (external, internal and total mechanical work, Wext, Wint and Wtot, respectively, Recovery).	This outcome will be measure through of the registered image movement analysis using the three-dimensional motion analysis system (VICON) of the walking test on treadmill at different speed of walking (1,2,3,4 and 5 km/h), 5 minutes at each speed.	Change from baseline Parameters of Mechanical Work at 8 weeks
Other Parameters of Pendular Mechanism (Percentage of congruity (%Cong), instantaneous pendular transduction and Recovery of step, shift phase (PhaseShift).	This outcome will be measure through of the registered image movement analysis using the three-dimensional motion analysis system (VICON) of the walking test on treadmill at different speed of walking (1,2,3,4 and 5 km/h), 5 minutes at each speed.	Change from baseline other Parameters of Pendular Mechanism at 8 weeks
Movement Body Center of Mass (BCoM) on X, Y, Z axis	This outcome will be measure through of the registered image movement analysis using the three-dimensional motion analysis system (VICON) of the walking test on treadmill at different speed of walking (1,2,3,4 and 5 km/h), 5 minutes at each speed.	Change from baseline of BCoM at 8 weeks
Maximal voluntary contractions (MVC) of the muscles: anterior deltoid (AD), triceps brachii (TB), vastus lateralis (VL), biceps femoris (BF), anterior tibial (AT) and medial gastrocnemius (MG)	This outcome will be measured through Measuring the electromyographic activation during treadmill walking tests using the Miotool electromyograph	Change from baseline MVC at 8 weeks
Electromyographic Parameters (mean amplitude of the signal and co-contraction) of the muscles: anterior deltoid (AD), triceps brachii (TB), vastus lateralis (VL), biceps femoris (BF), anterior tibial (AT) and medial gastrocnemius (MG)	This outcome will be measured through Measuring the electromyographic activation during treadmill walking tests using an electromyograph	Change from baseline Electromyographic parameters at 8 weeks

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Leonardo A Peyré-Tartaruga, PhD, PhD student of the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul- Brasil

Publications and helpful links

General Publications

• Gomenuka NA, Oliveira HB, da Silva ES, Passos-Monteiro E, da Rosa RG, Carvalho AR, Costa RR, Rodriguez Paz MC, Pellegrini B, Peyre-Tartaruga LA. Nordic walking training in elderly, a randomized clinical trial. Part II: Biomechanical and metabolic adaptations. Sports Med Open. 2020 Jan 13;6(1):3. doi: 10.1186/s40798-019-0228-6.
• Gomenuka NA, Oliveira HB, Silva ES, Costa RR, Kanitz AC, Liedtke GV, Schuch FB, Peyre-Tartaruga LA. Effects of Nordic walking training on quality of life, balance and functional mobility in elderly: A randomized clinical trial. PLoS One. 2019 Jan 30;14(1):e0211472. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0211472. eCollection 2019.

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start: March 1, 2014
• Primary Completion (Actual): October 1, 2014
• Study Completion (Actual): December 1, 2016

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: December 8, 2016
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: March 24, 2017
• First Posted (Actual): March 31, 2017

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): March 31, 2017
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: March 24, 2017
• Last Verified: March 1, 2017

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Recovery; Elderly training; Pole walking; Locomotor Rehabilitation Index; Self-selected speed of walking
• Other Study ID Numbers: LTartaruga,

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO