Nordic walking influence for young people body composition and mood: pilot study

Abstract

These days, sedentary lifestyle, high-calorie and very limited exercising are the reasons why people are feeling their health regression (Saulicz, 2015) and this also leads abnormal body composition. Physical activity affects mental health – sometimes it can be as effective as medications to treat mental problems, but generally, physical activity is associated with better mood and mental well-being (Otto, 2011). Research aim - to evaluate young people body composition and mood using the Nordic Walking. Methods. Young people, between 18 and 25 years old were selected as research subjects. All participants were informed about this study before participating. This study was approved by the Lithuania Health Science University Center of Bioethics. The study involved 15 healthy subjects, who voluntarily participated in the study. Nordic walking training was done 2 times per week, walking 5 kilometers distance in one hour period for five weeks. Mood was assessed before and after of every training. Mood questionnaire consisted of 4 questions (mood, working capacity, emotional state and physical well-being) which scored between 1 and 10 points and one question about tension and stress where subjects had to answer yes or no. Body composition was measured one time per week after training by segmental bio-electrical impedance (BIA) with segmental body composition monitor. This monitor had retractable handgrip electrodes with standard feet electrodes. Before measurement, age, sex, height of a subject had to be recorded in the device. After introduction subjects had to stand on a BIA, hold the electrodes with hands being lowered and stand until special[...].