'Nordic Walking' on Geriatric Individuals

NCT ID: NCT07158931

Last Updated: 2025-09-08

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: COMPLETED
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 28 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2022-10-01
• Study Completion Date: 2024-03-29

Brief Summary

This study aimed to investigate the effects of Nordic Walking training on muscle strength and endurance, balance, fear of falling, aerobic capacity, fatigue, quality of life and activity level in geriatric individuals.

32 sedentary individuals between the ages of 65-80 participated in the study. Nordic Walking (NW) and Traditional Walking (GY) groups were created by systematic randomization method. In line with the intended research parameters, participants were given 30 sec sit-to-stand (30secCST), 30 sec biceps curl (30 sec ACT), timed up and go (TUG) 6 min walk (6MWT), Tinetti Fall Effectiveness (Tinetti FES), Tampa Kinesiophobia Scale (TSK), World Health Organization Quality of Life Elderly Module (WHOQOL-Old) were administered. Evaluations were repeated before and after the study. The study was conducted under the supervision of a physiotherapist, 3 days a week for 12 weeks in both groups.

Conditions

Geriatrics; Geriatric Rehabilitation

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Primary Study Purpose: TREATMENT
• Blinding Strategy: SINGLE

Study Groups

Experimental

Nordic Walking

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

nordic walking

Intervention Type: OTHER

Before the NW program, participants completed a one-week familiarization phase to practice pole use. Training was held three times: 15 minutes on days 1 and 2, and 20 minutes on day 3, at 40-60% heart rate reserve (measured with a pulse oximeter). Warm-up included a 1-minute slow walk, toe raises, seated dorsiflexion, mini squats, scapular adduction, and shoulder/wrist stretches. Each session ended with a cool-down of a 2-minute slow walk and 20-second stretches for major muscle groups (quadriceps, hamstrings, lumbar extensors, gastrocnemius, shoulders, wrists).The walking poles used in this study were the Evolite Ultralite Titanium Antishock Trekking Pole, which has a titanium alloy body and a three-piece telescopic structure, adjustable to the desired length between 68 and 135 cm.

Control

General walking

Group Type: ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

General walking

Intervention Type: OTHER

The program was performed on concrete or compacted soil surfaces, under the same physiotherapist's supervision. Walking speed was adjusted to remain below 60% of maximal heart rate and to allow participants to converse comfortably during exercise.

Interventions

nordic walking

Before the NW program, participants completed a one-week familiarization phase to practice pole use. Training was held three times: 15 minutes on days 1 and 2, and 20 minutes on day 3, at 40-60% heart rate reserve (measured with a pulse oximeter). Warm-up included a 1-minute slow walk, toe raises, seated dorsiflexion, mini squats, scapular adduction, and shoulder/wrist stretches. Each session ended with a cool-down of a 2-minute slow walk and 20-second stretches for major muscle groups (quadriceps, hamstrings, lumbar extensors, gastrocnemius, shoulders, wrists).The walking poles used in this study were the Evolite Ultralite Titanium Antishock Trekking Pole, which has a titanium alloy body and a three-piece telescopic structure, adjustable to the desired length between 68 and 135 cm.

Intervention Type: OTHER

General walking

The program was performed on concrete or compacted soil surfaces, under the same physiotherapist's supervision. Walking speed was adjusted to remain below 60% of maximal heart rate and to allow participants to converse comfortably during exercise.

Intervention Type: OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• being between 65 and 80 years of age,
• having a score of 24 or above on the Standardized Mini-Mental State Examination (SMMSE),
• and voluntarily agreeing to participate in the study.

Exclusion Criteria

• a history of cerebrovascular accident,
• acute retinal hemorrhage or previous ophthalmic surgery,
• active infection, malignancy,
• multiple organ failure, terminal illness, or a history of lower or upper extremity fracture within the last three months.
• had any musculoskeletal condition that would prevent them from engaging in exercise,
• a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, or dementia,
• a diagnosis of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV),
• had engaged in regular exercise training (≥150 minutes per week) within the past six months.

• Minimum Eligible Age: 65 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 80 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Sponsors

Istanbul Rumeli University

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Nursel Oziri

PhD

Responsibility Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Locations

Öziri

Ataşehir, Istanbul, Turkey (Türkiye)

Countries

Turkey (Türkiye)

Other Identifiers

IstanbulRumeliU

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id