The Effects of NPW

21. The Effects of Walking with Poles on Shoulder Function in Breast Cancer Survivors

 

The data, from the following American study suggest that Nordic Pole Walking rather than regular walking without poles, for eight weeks, significantly improved muscular endurance of the upper body. This is clearly beneficial in helping breast cancer survivors build breast muscle tissue which in turn will help them perform daily activities and regain independence.

L. K. Sprod, S.N. Drum, A.T. Bentz, S.D. Carter, C.M. Schneider University of Northern Colorado, Rocky Mountain Cancer Rehabilitation

Institute, Greeley, Colorado, 2005

1.The purpose of this investigation was to determine the effects of walking pole use on shoulder function in female breast cancer survivors. Participants had previously been treated with one or a combination of the following: mastectomy, breast conservation therapy, auxiliary lymph node dissection, chemotherapy, or radiation.

2. Participants were randomly placed in experimental (n=6) and control (n=6) groups and met with a cancer exercise specialist 2 times each week for 8 weeks. The experimental group used walking poles during the 20-minute aerobic portion of their workout, whereas the control group did not use walking poles but performed 20 minutes of aerobic exercise per workout session.

3. Testing was done pre- and post exercise intervention to determine upper body muscular endurance and active range of motion at the glen humeral joint.

4. Repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed significant improvements in muscular endurance as measured by the bench press (P=.046) and lat pull down (P=.013) in the walking pole group. No within-group improvements were found in the group that did not use walking poles.

5. The data suggest that using a walking pole exercise routine for 8 weeks significantly improved muscular endurance of the upper body, which would clearly be beneficial in helping breast cancer survivors perform activities of daily living and regain an independent lifestyle.