Effects of 6-week Nordic walking training on body composition and antioxidant status for women > 55 years of age

Objectives This study examined the effects of 6-week Nordic walking (NW) workout with individually customized intensity, on the body composition, and oxidative stress biomarkers for women > 55 years of age. Material and Methods Sixteen sedentary women (age 58.1±2.02 years old, body mass index (BMI) 26.74±2.72 kg/m²) worked out the NW 3 times/week over the 6-week period. Training intensity, which reflected the dominance of oxygen metabolism, was determined based on changes in physiological indicators during graded exercise on a treadmill (walking with poles). The body composition and oxidative stress biomarkers in blood were measured before and after the exercise routine. Results After the training period, body weight, body fat percentage, body mass index and uric acid levels in serum decreased significantly (p < 0.05). At the same time the plasma total antioxidant status increased considerably (p < 0.05), while the total oxidative status and the oxidized low-density lipoproteins concentration levels did not change significantly (p > 0.05). Conclusions Within a relatively short time, the Nordic walking with the customized intensity level focused on the dominance of fat metabolism, decreased body fat and improved the blood antioxidant defense system for previously sedentary women. Int J Occup Med Environ Health 2017;30(3):445–454