Estimation of energy expenditure of Nordic walking: a crossover trial.
Level 2 - randomized trial
Randomized crossover trial measuring physiological parameters during exercise
PubMed 33608046 · doi:10.1186/s13102-021-00240-0
What was done
Fifteen healthy young men (mean age 23.7 ± 3.0 years) completed a randomized crossover trial comparing Nordic walking to conventional walking on a treadmill. Participants performed testing across incremental speeds (3–5 km/h) and treadmill inclines (0–7%). Researchers recorded oxygen uptake, minute ventilation, heart rate, systolic blood pressure, and surface electromyography of three upper and three lower limb muscles on the right side. Multiple linear regression was applied to derive metabolic equations for energy expenditure.
What was found
Compared with conventional walking, Nordic walking elicited statistically significant increases in oxygen uptake (+15.8%), minute ventilation (+17.0%), heart rate (+8.4%), and systolic blood pressure (+7.7%) (all P < .05). Upper limb muscle activation was higher across all three measured muscles during Nordic walking (P < .05), whereas lower limb activation was higher in two of three muscles only during level walking (P < .05). The derived metabolic equations for energy expenditure (E, in mL·kg⁻¹·min⁻¹) were: E_NW = 6.1 + 0.09 × speed + 1.19 × speed × grade and E_W = 4.4 + 0.09 × speed + 1.20 × speed × grade, reflecting an average oxygen consumption offset of 1.7 mL·kg⁻¹·min⁻¹.
Why it matters
This study provides specific metabolic prediction equations to quantify the increased caloric expenditure of Nordic walking relative to standard walking. This aids clinicians and exercise physiologists in accurately prescribing exercise intensity for pole-walking regimens.
Limits
The sample was very small (n = 15) and restricted entirely to young, healthy men, limiting generalizability to women, older adults, or clinical populations. Testing was conducted exclusively in a controlled treadmill environment rather than over outdoor terrain, which may alter natural pole mechanics and real-world energy expenditure.
Cited by
- context Adding upper-body exercise to lower-body exercise increases overall activity or energy expenditure by approximately 30%.