The application of Nordic walking in the treatment hypertension and obesity

Background. Increasing physical activity is a widely recognized method of prevention and treatment of hypertension and obesity.

Objectives. The aim of the following study was to assess the results of application of Nordic walking in the treatment of patients with hypertension and obesity.

Material and methods. Participating in the study were 30 overweight or obese men with hypertension, undergoing pharmacological treatment, randomly assigned to one of the two study groups. The first group performed Nordic walking training for 4 weeks. The second group underwent pharmacological treatment only. The value of blood pressure measured with a 24-hour AMBP monitoring device, exercise tolerance based on the duration and value of the metabolic equivalent during the exercise test, body mass and BMI

value, as well as total cholesterol, LDL, HDL and triglyceride values, were measured before and after the study.

Results. The results of the study demonstrated the fact that the application of Nordic walking over the course of 4 weeks did not cause significant changes as far as the value of blood pressure. However, the training led to increased exercise tolerance, a reduced body

mass and BMI value, as well as lowered triglyceride and total cholesterol levels. There were no cases of discontinuation of the training due to unwanted effects or symptoms.

Conclusions. The 4-week period of Nordic walking training did not result in the lowering of blood pressure in patients with hypertension. However, Nordic walking training did result in improved exercise tolerance, decreased body mass, as well as reduced metabolic risk factors for cardiovascular disease.