Influence of Nordic walking on body composition of elderly women

Abstract

This research included 60 women (N=60) with the residence on the territory of the municipality of Novi Sad. The sample of the examinees consisted of women with the average age 58.5±6.90, mean body weight 70.9 kg±15.32 and mean body height 164.8 m±7.24. The examinees were divided in two groups- one experimental (E) which consisted of 30 members and one control (C) with 30 members. The experimental program lasted 3 months and the activities took place three times a week. The subject of examination was the analysis of the effects which occurred as a consequence of implementing an experimental treatment on body composition of women at the older age. During the period of three months the women from the experimental group walked using Nordic walking poles. According to the obtained results it was established that during longitudinal processes there were some changes in the body composition of women. The variables Body weight (BW-g)- (E=66,54<C=70,46), Percentage of adipose tissue (FP-%) - (E=37,36<C=39,85) and Percentage of muscles (MP-%) - (E=25,82<C=28,00) showed higher values in the experimental than in the control group in the final measurement. This activity, which is not too imposing on the body of the examined women, but is enough to cause changes, is recommended for elderly women. Under the influence of this program of exercises body weight was reduced, as well as the percentage of adipose tissue and muscles in the experimental group.