The effects of Nordic Walking training on selected upper-body muscle groups in female-office workers: A randomized trial.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to assess the effects of a 12-week Nordic Walking training program on the perceived pain threshold and flexibility of selected upper-body muscle groups in postmenopausal female office workers.
Results Summary
The study found a significant increase in the perceived pain threshold in the upper trapezius, mid trapezius, latissimus dorsi, and infraspinatus muscles, as well as improved shoulder mobility in the Nordic Walking group compared to the control group.
Population
Postmenopausal female office workers
Effective Dosage
3 times a week for 1 hour
Duration
12 weeks
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
12-week Nordic Walking training program | increase | PPT (kg/cm2) in upper trapezius muscle | postmenopausal female office workers in NW group | from 1,32 kg/cm2 to 1,99 kg/cm2 | significant increase | #1 |
12-week Nordic Walking training program | increase | PPT (kg/cm2) in mid trapezius muscle | postmenopausal female office workers in NW group | from 2,92 kg/cm2 to 3,30 kg/cm2 | significant increase | #2 |
12-week Nordic Walking training program | increase | PPT (kg/cm2) in latissimus dorsi muscle | postmenopausal female office workers in NW group | from 1,66 kg/cm2 to 2,21 kg/cm2 | significant increase | #3 |
12-week Nordic Walking training program | increase | PPT (kg/cm2) in infraspinatus muscle | postmenopausal female office workers in NW group | from 1,63 kg/cm2 to 2,93 kg/cm2 | significant increase | #4 |
12-week Nordic Walking training program | increase | BS test (Back Scratch test) | postmenopausal female office workers in NW group | from -1,16±5,7 cm to 2,18±5,1 cm | significant improvement | #5 |
12-week Nordic Walking training routine | increase | shoulder mobility | female office workers | - | improves | #6 |
12-week Nordic Walking training routine | decrease | tenderness in trapezius pars descendens muscle | female office workers | - | reduces | #7 |
12-week Nordic Walking training routine | decrease | tenderness in middle trapezius muscle | female office workers | - | reduces | #8 |
12-week Nordic Walking training routine | decrease | tenderness in infraspinatus muscle | female office workers | - | reduces | #9 |
12-week Nordic Walking training routine | decrease | tenderness in latissimus dorsi muscle | female office workers | - | reduces | #10 |
BACKGROUND: Regular Nordic Walking training could improve fitness and reduce tenderness in selected muscle groups in office workers. OBJECTIVE: An assessment of the effects of a 12-week Nordic Walking training program on the perceived pain threshold (PPT) and the flexibility of selected upper-body muscle groups in postmenopausal female office workers. METHODS: 39 office workers were selected at random for the treatment group (NWg, n = 20) and the control group (Cg, n = 19). The persons from the NW group completed a 12-week Nordic Walking training program (3 times a week/1 hour). PPTs measurements in selected muscles and functional tests evaluating upper-body flexibility (Back Scratch - BS) were carried out twice in every participant of the study: before and after the training program. RESULTS: A significant increase in PPT (kg/cm2) was observed in the following muscles in the NW group only: upper trapezius (from 1,32 kg/cm2 to 1,99 kg/cm2), mid trapezius (from 2,92 kg/cm2 to 3,30 kg/cm2), latissimus dorsi (from 1,66 kg/cm2 to 2,21 kg/cm2) and infraspinatus (from 1,63 kg/cm2 to 2,93 kg/cm2). Moreover, a significant improvement in the BS test was noted in the NW group compared with the control group (from -1,16±5,7 cm to 2,18±5,1 cm in the NW group vs from -2,52±6,1 to -2,92±6,2 in the control group). CONCLUSIONS: A 12-week Nordic Walking training routine improves shoulder mobility and reduces tenderness in the following muscles: trapezius pars descendens and middle trapezius, infraspinatus and latissimus dorsi, in female office workers.