Sunday Sounds: You're probably not walking today, so here's some background music to relax by during this season.

Nordic walking to help patients prepare for surgery

Surgeons built their patients' fitness to prepare them for surgery by putting them on a Nordic walking program. They had determined less fit patients fared worse in the surgery. They risk strokes, heart attacks, and infections among other ailments.

Nordic walking's low impact, full-body form helps patients build essential fitness and its format helps patients maintain motivation to continue exercising.

Exercise to reduce complications from chronic kidney disease

A study examined the benefits of exercise for people with chronic kidney disease. It seems "Heart disease is the leading cause of death in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD)."

Over the course of a 12-month study, the researchers found:

• Kidney function decline slowed
• Cardio-respiratory fitness improved

In a 6-month study with dialysis patients, walking improved physical well-being.

In general, people with chronic conditions benefit from exercise.