The Effect of Nordic Walking Exercise on Physical Indicators and Subjective Happiness of the Middle-aged in Rural Area

ABSTRACT

Purpose@#The purpose of this study was to identify the effect of regular Nordic walking exercise on the physical indicators and subjective happiness of middle-aged rural residents. @*Methods@#A pretest and posttest design with a nonequivalent control group was conducted. The participants of experimental and control group were each 21 subjects from 40 to 64 years old. The Nordic walking exercise program consisted of 24 sessions which were focused on group exercise, and was conducted three times a week for eight weeks. @*Results@#The experimental group showed significant decreases in body mass index (p=.042), body fat (p<.001), and abdominal fat (p=.026). The experimental group showed significant increases in muscle mass of right lower limb (p=.009) and left lower limb (p=.016) but was not statistically significant in right, left upper limbs and body. On the other hand, the control group showed significant decreases in muscle mass of right upper limb (p=.034), left upper limb p=.038), and body (p=.034). There were no significant differences in systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and subjective happiness between the experimental and the control group. @*Conclusion@#The Nordic walking exercise should be actively encouraged to improve health of the middle-aged in rural area.