The Effects of Nordic Walking With Poles With an Integrated Resistance Shock Absorber on Cognitive Abilities and Cardiopulmonary Efficiency in Postmenopausal Women

Katarzyna Domaszewska; Magdalena Koper; Krystian Wochna; Urszula Czerniak; Katarzyna Marciniak; Maciej Wilski; Dorota Bukowska

doi:10.3389/fnagi.2020.586286

The Effects of Nordic Walking With Poles With an Integrated Resistance Shock Absorber on Cognitive Abilities and Cardiopulmonary Efficiency in Postmenopausal Women

Front Aging Neurosci. 2020 Oct 19:12:586286. doi: 10.3389/fnagi.2020.586286. eCollection 2020.

Authors

Katarzyna Domaszewska¹, Magdalena Koper², Krystian Wochna³, Urszula Czerniak⁴, Katarzyna Marciniak⁵, Maciej Wilski², Dorota Bukowska⁶

Affiliations

¹ Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Poznań University of Physical Education, Poznań, Poland.
² Department of Adapted Physical Activity, Poznań University of Physical Education, Poznań, Poland.
³ Laboratory of Swimming and Water Lifesaving, Poznań University of Physical Education, Poznań, Poland.
⁴ Department of Anthropology and Biometry, Poznań University of Physical Education, Poznań, Poland.
⁵ Department of Physical Activity Sciences and Health Promotion, Poznań University of Physical Education, Poznań, Poland.
⁶ Department of Neurobiology, Poznań University of Physical Education, Poznań, Poland.

Abstract

Late adulthood is associated with atrophy of brain areas, which contribute to cognitive deterioration and increase the risk of depression. On the other hand, aerobic exercise can improve learning and memory function, ameliorate mood, and prevent neurodegenerative changes. This study demonstrates the effect of Nordic walking (NW) and NW with poles with an integrated resistance shock absorber (NW with RSA) on aerobic capacity and body composition in postmenopausal women. It also measures the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) serum levels and determines correlations with cognitive functions and depression symptoms. These relationships with the use of NW with RSA as a new form of exercise have not been described thus far. In this study, 31 women (NW - 16, NW with RSA - 15) participated in eight weeks of training. The findings showed that only NW with RSA training caused a significant decrease in body mass and body mass index (p < 0.05). There were no significant changes in GDNF levels between groups studied. Regarding BDNF, a significant decrease (p < 0.05) in the NW group and an increase (not statistically significant) in the NW with RSA group was found. A comparative analysis of cognitive and depression outcomes and changes in BDNF and GDNF concentration showed no significant differences in the efficacy of either form of training. Training loads resulted in a significant increase in VO₂max in both the NW (p < 0.01) and NW with RSA (p < 0.05) groups. This indicates an improvement in cardiopulmonary efficiency of the examined women.

Keywords: Beck Depression Inventory; Stroop test; maximal oxygen uptake; neurotrophins; walking training.