Tools for research

Something researchers use to study movement like Nordic walking.

Nordic walking and insulin resistance

I came across a research article that tested the effect of Nordic walking on insulin resistance in elderly women. Insulin resistance is related to Type 2 diabetes and other disorders. In this particular case, the participants Nordic walked under instructor supervision two hours per week.

What the researchers found:

The participants improved their walking distance (walked as far as they could in six minutes) and positive improvement in insulin resistance.

• Improvement:
• BMI [body mass index]
• Waist circumference
• SBP [systolic blood pressure]
• Diastolic blood pressure (DBP)
• HDL-C [high-density lipoprotein: good cholesterol]
• hsCRP [high sensitivity C-reactive protein: caused by infections and long term diseases]
• Hemoglobin
• IRI [immunoreactive insulin]
• Unchanged:
• TG [triglycerides]
• LDL-C [low-density lipoprotein: bad cholesterol]
• GGT [serum gamma-glutamyl transferase; detect disorders of liver and bile ducts]
• Uric acid
• HbA1c [hemoglobin A1c]
• FPG [fasting plasma glucose: after overnight fast; 126 mg/dl or higher means a person has diabetes]

Regarding HbA1c, the standard by which glucose in the blood is measured, it's not surprising it was largely unchanged (5.7 before and 5.6 after). It's a measure over a period of time, so HbA1c is really more affected by diet. I saw a similar result in another research article I blogged about. That's why the Nordic Walking Guy tells you, "Don’t' eat like a teenager."

Nordic walking, weight, and diabetes

Are you interested in how Nordic walking can help your cardiovascular health? A research article provided some insight. The participants were overweight and had Type 2 diabetes or had problems with glucose tolerance. Note: the link is to an abstract that's publicly available. I'm able to access the full article through my university library account.

What they found:

• Body mass index (BMI) in a group with normal glucose tolerance had a greater reduction from Nordic walking. However, BMI didn't change significantly in a group with impaired glucose tolerance or Type 2 diabetes.
• Those with normal glucose tolerance and those with impaired glucose tolerance or Type 2 diabetes reported increased activity levels.
• Participants with impaired glucose tolerance or Type 2 diabetes who Nordic walked reported significant improvements in quality of sleep and general health.

What were some of the researchers'' conclusions?

• Quality of sleep is related to overall wellness. "Nordic walking and other modes of exercise may provide a less costly and safer alternative to medication as a means of alleviating some sleep disorders."
• Type 2 diabetes can lead to perceptions to pain, but participants did not report problems with Nordic walking. "Nordic walking may thus be a safe mode of introductory exercise, even for individuals with Type 2 diabetes."