Effects of Nordic Walking in people with respiratory diseases: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE

To systematically review and meta-analyse the effects of Nordic Walking in patients with respiratory diseases.

DESIGN

Systematic review and meta-analysis.

SUBJECTS/PATIENTS: People with respiratory diseases.

METHODS

A systematic review from 9 databases and 1 trial register was conducted. Randomized controlled trials and quasi-experimental studies involving children or adults with respiratory diseases participating in Nordic Walking were included. A qualitative synthesis was conducted. When feasible, a meta-analysis was performed.

RESULTS

Thirteen studies were included, involving 514 participants. The qualitative synthesis suggested that Nordic Walking has benefits in exercise tolerance, physical activity, physical fitness, dyspnoea, lung function, and mood status. Meta-analysis was only possible for exercise tolerance, through a 6-minute walking test assessed in 7 studies, which indicated that Nordic Walking had similar effect to other interventions (mean difference 4.4; 95% confidence interval -88.1-96.9 m, p = 0.93).

CONCLUSION

This systematic review demonstrates potential benefits of Nordic Walking in terms of exercise tolerance, physical activity, physical fitness, and dyspnoea, in people with respiratory diseases, comparable to other exercise forms. Further evidence is needed, particularly in studies analysing a structured Nordic Walking intervention with individually prescribed intensity.