Investigation of the effects of 8-week Nordic and traditional walking training on blood pressure in prehypertensive postmenopausal women

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effects of Nordic walking (NW) and traditional walking (TW) training on blood pressure and resting heart rate in prehypertensive postmenopausal women. Materials and Methods: Twenty women aged 57.9 ± 7.2 years participated in the study. Participants were divided into two groups of 10: NW and TW. Exercises were performed three days a week for eight weeks and 50 min/day at 40-60% of the maximum heart rate. Body composition, blood pressure, and resting heart rate values of the participants were measured before and after the 8-week exercise program. Results: Upon comparing the values before and after exercise; body weight, body mass index, hip circumference, systolic and diastolic pressure values decreased significantly (p<0.05), while there was no significant change in the resting heart rate (p>0.05) in the NW group. In the TW group; body weight, body mass index, waist circumference, hip circumference, systolic and diastolic pressure decreased significantly (p<0.05). No significant changes were found in other parameters (p>0.05). The effect size of NW training was found to be higher in body weight, BMI, and systolic and diastolic pressure values. Conclusion: NW training is more effective than TW training in the regulation of blood pressure in prehypertensive postmenopausal women.