Potential benefits of Nordic Walking on patients undergoing radiotherapy treatment
29 Mar 2025
There has been growing evidence during the last decade on the benefits of physical exercise as an intervention to control cancer related side effects such as cancer related fatigue (CRF) and pain. Nordic Walking (NW) is a physical activity with great physiological and psychosocial advantages over more traditional aerobic types of exercise such as walking or running. It consists on adding a pair of specific poles, that help propel the body forward, to the normal walking pattern. In this way the work of the upper and lower body is integrated in a symmetric and balanced way.
NW significantly increases oxygen consumption, heart rate and energy expenditure when compared to normalwalking at the same speed, however, and due to the effort being spread between the upper and lower body, the perceived exertion remains low. NW can therefore result in significant physiological benefits without increased perceived exertion. This is particularly relevant when considering adherence to exercise programs.
NW as an intervention to improve the physical fitness of patients undergoing radiotherapy can potentially result in better physiological outcomes when compared to other forms of aerobic exercise. Moreover, it is related to lower perceived exertion which can palliate the poor adherence to exercise programs. There is a need for randomized controlled trials using NW as an intervention in order to produce evidence and inform future practice.
NW significantly increases oxygen consumption, heart rate and energy expenditure when compared to normalwalking at the same speed, however, and due to the effort being spread between the upper and lower body, the perceived exertion remains low. NW can therefore result in significant physiological benefits without increased perceived exertion. This is particularly relevant when considering adherence to exercise programs.
NW as an intervention to improve the physical fitness of patients undergoing radiotherapy can potentially result in better physiological outcomes when compared to other forms of aerobic exercise. Moreover, it is related to lower perceived exertion which can palliate the poor adherence to exercise programs. There is a need for randomized controlled trials using NW as an intervention in order to produce evidence and inform future practice.
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