Impact of Nordic walking on balance in women : a literature review
Deshmukh, Ashwini (2025)
2025
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-202505018501
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-202505018501
Tiivistelmä
Nordic walking has been shown to be an effective method for improving balance, mobility, and overall health in women. Nordic walking has been shown to improve gait stability, prevent falling risk, and increase strength in the upper and lower limbs, maintaining functional independence. Apart from its physical advantages, the rhythm and social engagement in Nordic walking improve well-being, minimising anxiety and depression.
The aim of the literature review was to study the impact of Nordic walking on balance in women. This review demonstrates a systematic search done on databases from PubMed, CINAHL Complete (Ebsco), ProQuest Central, Wiley Online Library, and Sage Journals. Searches were conducted between October and December 2024 that focused on studies between 2019–2024, The initial search yielded 432 articles out of which 30 duplicates were removed. Following headline screening and evaluation of full-text availability, 53 articles were left. Further evaluation based on abstract relevance narrowed the selection to nine studies.
It was observed that Nordic walking enhances muscle strength, postural stability, and cognitive function, that benefits postmenopausal women in enhancing bone density, reducing the risk of osteoporosis, and improving overall physical health and with individuals with Parkinson’s disease reducing symptoms such as tremors and rigidity. The incorporation of resistance shock absorber poles appears to improve bone health, particularly in the femur. Beyond its physiological effects, Nordic walking promotes social interaction, mitigates isolation, is helpful in weight control, and regulates blood pressure. Nordic walking is both low-cost and effective as an intervention and thus provides a means for improving balance and overall health among women with age-related mobility impairments.
Keywords: Nordic walking, balance, mobility, women’s health, fall prevention, cognitive function, aging
The aim of the literature review was to study the impact of Nordic walking on balance in women. This review demonstrates a systematic search done on databases from PubMed, CINAHL Complete (Ebsco), ProQuest Central, Wiley Online Library, and Sage Journals. Searches were conducted between October and December 2024 that focused on studies between 2019–2024, The initial search yielded 432 articles out of which 30 duplicates were removed. Following headline screening and evaluation of full-text availability, 53 articles were left. Further evaluation based on abstract relevance narrowed the selection to nine studies.
It was observed that Nordic walking enhances muscle strength, postural stability, and cognitive function, that benefits postmenopausal women in enhancing bone density, reducing the risk of osteoporosis, and improving overall physical health and with individuals with Parkinson’s disease reducing symptoms such as tremors and rigidity. The incorporation of resistance shock absorber poles appears to improve bone health, particularly in the femur. Beyond its physiological effects, Nordic walking promotes social interaction, mitigates isolation, is helpful in weight control, and regulates blood pressure. Nordic walking is both low-cost and effective as an intervention and thus provides a means for improving balance and overall health among women with age-related mobility impairments.
Keywords: Nordic walking, balance, mobility, women’s health, fall prevention, cognitive function, aging