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Updated: Oct 26, 2025
Substantiating Appropriate Motion Capture Techniques for the Assessment of Nordic Walking Gait and Posture in Older Adults
Published on: May 12, 2016
Effects of an unsupervised Nordic walking intervention on cognitive and physical function among older women engaging
Yuta Nemoto1, Ryota Sakurai1, Susumu Ogawa1
1Research Team for Social Participation and Community Health, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology, 35-2 Sakae-cho, Itabashi, Tokyo, 173-0015, Japan.
Background:
Nordic walking (NW) has been reported as a safe and effective exercise mode. However, the effects of NW on cognitive function are unknown. This study examined the effects of an unsupervised NW intervention on cognitive and physical function among older women engaging in volunteering.
Methods:
Forty-seven women aged ≥70 years were enrolled and assigned into three groups (NW (n = 16); walking (n = 19); control group (n = 12)) based on residential areas. Participants in NW and walking groups received a pedometer and recorded daily step counts. The NW group received poles and 2 h of NW instruction. Participants were encouraged to perform the exercise individually more than once a week during the 3-month intervention. As baseline and follow-up assessments, cognitive function (Montreal Cognitive Assessment [MoCA-J] and Trail Making Test), physical function (handgrip strength, walking speed, balance ability, the Timed Up and Go test, and functional capacity), and objective physical activity were evaluated.
Results:
In the NW group, physical activity, maximal walking speed, and MoCA-J scores were improved during the intervention period. In the walking group, physical activity was increased after the intervention. Analysis of covariance showed that maximal walking speed among the NW group significantly improved compared with the walking group. Sub-group analysis of participants who exercised more than once a week showed that handgrip strength, gait speed, and MoCA-J scores were significantly improved in the NW compared with the walking group.
Conclusion:
NW intervention improved cognitive and physical function compared with simple walking among older women.
