Malicka, I., Stefańska, M., Rudziak, M., Jarmoluk, P., Pawłowska, K., Szczepańska-Gieracha, J., & Woźniewski, M. (2011). The influence of Nordic walking exercise on upper extremity strength and the volume of lymphoedema in women following breast cancer treatment. Isokinetics and Exercise Science, 19(4), 295–304.
To examine the effect of Nordic walking on upper-extremity strength and lymphedema
Participants were randomly assigned to the walking group or the control group, who did not participate in any rehabilitation program. The program consisted of two hour-long sessions each week for eight weeks. Sessions involved a 10-minute warm up and 40 minutes of Nordic walking at 85% of maximum heart rate, followed by 10 minutes of stretching and relaxation exercises.
The study took place in an outpatient setting in Poland.
The study used a randomized controlled trial design.
A variety of changes in muscle strength were observed. No differences were found between groups in arm volume results.
The study did not provide any evidence that Nordic walking improved lymphedema.
The study had several methodologic weaknesses and did not provide strong evidence either for or against the effects of Nordic walking on lymphedema after breast cancer treatment.