Hack your walk with Nordic Walking Guy’s 3 rules:
- Walk with purpose!
- Be consistent!
- Remember everything count’s but not everything matters!
A study of Nordic walking and Sjögren’s Syndrome showed benefits to people with the chronic condition.
Sjögren’s Syndrome is an autoimmune disorder similar to lupus. People with lupus have a chance of having Sjögren’s Syndrome as an additional disorder.
In the study, 21 women with Sjögren’s Syndrome undertook Nordic walking for 45 minutes three times a week for 12 weeks. The researchers looked at these factors:
- Aerobic capacity
- Fatigue
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Health-related quality of life
Findings:
- The women’s aerobic capacity improved, and they had reduced fatigue.
- They also experienced significant improvements in reducing depression.
- However, there were no significant changes in anxiety scores and perceptions of health-related quality of life.
In general, the researchers considered the exercise to be useful in managing the chronic condition. Some practiclal lessons (courtesy of ChatGPT) include:
- Nordic walking can improve aerobic capacity: The fact that women participating in Nordic walking experienced improved aerobic capacity suggests that this form of exercise can be beneficial for individuals with chronic illness. Increasing aerobic capacity can enhance overall fitness, endurance, and cardiovascular health.
- Reduced fatigue: The finding that Nordic walking led to reduced fatigue is significant for individuals with chronic illness, as fatigue is a common symptom that can greatly impact daily functioning and quality of life. Nordic walking may help combat fatigue and increase energy levels.
- Nordic walking may alleviate depression symptoms: The significant improvements observed in reducing depression among the participants highlight the potential mental health benefits of this exercise. Engaging in Nordic walking may positively impact mood, provide a sense of accomplishment, and contribute to overall well-being.
- No significant changes in anxiety scores: Although anxiety scores did not show significant changes in this study, it does not necessarily mean that Nordic walking has no effect on anxiety. Further research is needed to explore the impact of Nordic walking on anxiety symptoms specifically.
- No significant changes in health-related quality of life perceptions: The lack of significant changes in health-related quality of life perceptions suggests that Nordic walking alone may not be sufficient to improve all aspects of individuals’ perception of their overall well-being. Other factors and interventions might need to be considered to enhance health-related quality of life for individuals with chronic illness.
↓ See below for Nordic walking coaching, experiences, and shopping ↓
Personal care and wellness: Check these items out and browse more ideas for self-care (commission earned by Afoot Nordic Walking on purchases)
Join Nordic Walking Groups on Facebook to share tips, ideas, and experiences. Beginners and those exploring Nordic walking interact with certified instructors and experienced Nordic walkers in a friendly, affirming, and cheerful environment.
Nordic Walking Guy’s first rule is “Walk with purpose!” Walking with purpose includes living a life with meaning. Buy Your Unfinished Business: Find God in Your Circumstances, Serve Others in Theirs to learn more about faith, calling, and resilience.
