Key result
Nordic walking improves cardiorespiratory fitness, increasing VO2 max by ~4.5 mL/kg/min.
Why the study?
This scoping review sought to systematically synthesize the available evidence on the effects of Nordic walking, which engages both upper and lower extremities to increase oxygen consumption and energy expenditure, on cardiorespiratory health.
Does Nordic walking improve cardiorespiratory health outcomes and functional endurance in adults with or without cardiopulmonary conditions?
Systematic Review
Does Nordic walking improve cardiorespiratory health outcomes and functional endurance in adults with or without cardiopulmonary conditions?
This scoping review of 7 studies suggests that Nordic walking is a safe, low-cost aerobic exercise modality that improves VO2 max and 6-minute walk distance across clinical and community adult populations, though high-quality RCTs are needed to confirm superiority over conventional walking.
Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
Supports Nordic walking as a low-cost option in adult exercise programs; extends moderate-quality evidence but requires high-quality RCTs for confirmation.
Cardiorespiratory health represents the ability of the heart and lungs to supply oxygenated blood to working muscles, while maintaining pulmonary function and quality of life. Regular aerobic exercise is important for the prevention and management of cardiopulmonary impairments. Nordic walking engages both upper and lower extremities, causing greater oxygen consumption and higher energy expenditure, leading to improved cardiopulmonary health. Aiming to systematically synthesize the available evidence on the effects of Nordic walking on cardiorespiratory health, this scoping review search was conducted across PubMed, ScienceDirect, Physiotherapy Evidence Database, and Scopus between January 2015 and November 2025. The articles were selected based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, complying with the Population–Concept–Context framework. Data were extracted using the standardized charting form, capturing study characteristics, intervention protocols, and cardiorespiratory outcomes. Out of 256 records identified, seven studies met the inclusion criteria. The included study outcomes were Volume of Oxygen Maximum/ Volume of Oxygen Peak, six-minute walk test, metabolic equivalents, heart rate, and blood pressure in cardiac patients, post-menopausal women, older adults, and normal individuals. Most studies reported improvements in aerobic capacity, functional endurance, and exercise tolerance following Nordic walking across both clinical and community populations. Nordic walking appears to be an effective, safe, and low-cost exercise intervention for improving cardiorespiratory fitness, functional capacity, and exercise tolerance.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Chauhan et al. (2026) conducted a systematic review in Cardiopulmonary conditions and general cardiopulmonary fitness. Nordic walking vs. Conventional rehabilitation training, standard walking, or unsupervised/pre-post comparison was evaluated on Cardiorespiratory health outcomes including VO2 max, VO2 peak, six-minute walk test (6MWT), metabolic equivalents (METs), heart rate, and blood pressure. Nordic walking improved cardiorespiratory fitness and functional endurance across 6 of 7 included studies, including increases in VO2 max and walking distance.
Synapse has enriched 10 related papers. Consider them for comparative context: