Nordic Walking Training Causes a Decrease in Blood Cholesterol in Elderly Women Supplemented with Vitamin D.

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Exercise Physiology
• Nutritional Biochemistry

Background:

• Regular exercise impacts lipid profiles, but findings are inconsistent.
• Vitamin D supplementation may improve lipid profiles, particularly in deficient individuals.
• The combined effects of exercise and vitamin D on elderly women's lipid profiles require further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effects of Nordic Walking (NW) training combined with vitamin D supplementation on lipid profiles and functional fitness in elderly women.
• To compare the effects of NW plus vitamin D, vitamin D alone, and no intervention on lipid profiles.

Main Methods:

• 109 elderly women participated in a 12-week study.
• Groups included: NW + vitamin D, vitamin D alone, and control.
• Lipid profiles (TC, TG, HDL-C, LDL-C) and 25-OH-D3 were measured; functional fitness was assessed.

Main Results:

• The NW + vitamin D group showed decreased TC, LDL-C, and TG.
• The vitamin D alone group had no significant lipid profile changes.
• The control group exhibited increased HDL-C, while only the NW + vitamin D group improved functional fitness.

Conclusions:

• Nordic Walking combined with vitamin D supplementation positively alters lipid profiles in elderly women.
• Exercise, when supported by vitamin D, is crucial for improving cardiovascular health markers.
• This intervention offers a promising strategy for enhancing health outcomes in aging populations.