Nordic Walking and Functional Outcomes in Individuals with Type 2 Diabetes
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.12775/QS.2026.55.71085Keywords
Nordic walking, type 2 diabetes mellitus, physical activity, aerobic training, walking-based interventions, HbA1c, glycemic control, insulin sensitivity, insulin resistance, oxidative stress, body weight, BMI, body composition, aerobic capacity (VO₂max), exerise tolerance, muscle strength, functional fitness, quality of life (QoL), metabolic health, rehabilitation, prevention of diabetes complicationsAbstract
Introduction and aim:
Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by impaired glucose regulation and insulin resistance. Physical activity plays a key role in its management. Nordic walking, involving the use of poles, may enhance exercise intensity and therapeutic effects. The aim of this study was to evaluate its impact on functional and metabolic outcomes in individuals with T2DM.
Material and methods:
This qualitative literature review is based on randomized controlled trials, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses. The analysis included studies involving adults with T2DM performing Nordic walking or structured walking interventions. Outcomes included HbA1c, VO₂max, body weight, BMI, muscle strength, and quality of life.
Results:
Nordic walking is associated with improved glycemic control, reduced HbA1c, body weight, and BMI, as well as enhanced insulin sensitivity. It also contributes to increased aerobic capacity, physical fitness, and functional performance. Additional benefits include improved body composition and quality of life. In some studies, Nordic walking demonstrated greater effectiveness than regular walking.
Conclusions:
Nordic walking is a safe and effective form of physical activity for individuals with T2DM. It supports improvements in metabolic and functional outcomes and can be recommended as part of comprehensive non-pharmacological management.
References
[1] Gram, B., Christensen, R., Christiansen, C., & Gram, J. (2010). Effects of Nordic walking and exercise in type 2 diabetes mellitus: A randomized controlled trial. Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine, 20(5), 355–361.
PMID: 20818193
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20818193/
[2] Figard-Fabre, H., Fabre, N., Leonardi, A., & Schena, F. (2011). Efficacy of Nordic walking in obesity management. International journal of sports medicine, 32(6), 407–414. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0030-1268461
[3] Tschentscher, M., Niederseer, D., & Niebauer, J. (2013). Health benefits of Nordic walking: A systematic review. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 44(1), 76–84.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2012.09.043
[4] Bullo, V., Bergamin, M., Gobbo, S., et al. (2020). Nordic walking and physical fitness: Effects on VO₂max, flexibility, and body composition. Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology, 5(3), 62.
https://doi.org/10.3390/jfmk5030062
[5] Fritz, T., Wandell, P., Aberg, H., & Engfeldt, P. (2011). Walking for exercise – effects on quality of life and metabolic control in type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice, 91(2), 180–184.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.diabres.2010.11.019
[6] Leelarungrayub, D., et al. (2010). Effects of Nordic walking on diabetic parameters. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, 14(3), 253–258.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbmt.2009.07.006
[7] Zhang, Y., Pan, X., Chen, J., et al. (2014). Effects of walking on glycemic control: A meta-analysis. PLOS ONE, 9(10), e109767.
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0109767
[8] Yang, Y., et al. (2020). Effects of walking exercise on glycemic control and cardiovascular risk factors in type 2 diabetes. Acta Diabetologica, 57(10), 1203–1212.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11332-020-00690-y
[9] Umpierre, D., et al. (2011). Physical activity advice only vs structured exercise training and association with HbA1c levels. JAMA, 305(17), 1790–1799.
https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2011.576
[10] Church, T. S., et al. (2010). Effects of aerobic and resistance training on HbA1c levels. JAMA, 304(20), 2253–2262.
https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2010.171
[11] Colberg, S. R., et al. (2016). Physical activity/exercise and diabetes. Diabetes Care, 39(11), 2065–2079.
https://doi.org/10.2337/dc16-1728
[12] Snowling, N. J., & Hopkins, W. G. (2006). Effects of different exercise training modalities on glucose control. Diabetes Care, 29(11), 2518–2527.
https://doi.org/10.2337/dc06-1317
[13] Kelley, G. A., & Kelley, K. S. (2007). Effects of aerobic exercise on HbA1c. Diabetes Care, 30(10), 2667–2674.
https://doi.org/10.2337/dc07-0843
[14] Swift, D. L., et al. (2014). The role of exercise and physical activity in weight loss. Progress in Cardiovascular Diseases, 56(4), 441–447.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pcad.2013.09.010
[15] Balducci, S., Zanuso, S., Fernando, F., Fallucca, S., Fallucca, F., Pugliese, G., & Italian Diabetes Exercise Study (IDES) Group (2009). Physical activity/exercise training in type 2 diabetes. The role of the Italian Diabetes and Exercise Study. Diabetes/metabolism research and reviews, 25 Suppl 1, S29–S33. https://doi.org/10.1002/dmrr.985
[16] Pedersen, B. K., & Saltin, B. (2015). Exercise as medicine. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports, 25(S3), 1–72.
https://doi.org/10.1111/sms.12581
[17] Ross, R., et al. (2000). Reduction in obesity and related comorbid conditions. Annals of Internal Medicine, 133(2), 92–103.
https://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-133-2-200007180-00008
[18] Hawley, J. A., & Lessard, S. J. (2008). Exercise training-induced improvements in insulin action. Acta physiologica (Oxford, England), 192(1), 127–135. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1748-1716.2007.01783.x
[19] Henriksen, E. J. (2002). Effects of acute exercise and exercise training on insulin resistance. Journal of Applied Physiology, 93(2), 788–796.
https://doi.org/10.1152/japplphysiol.01219.2001
[20] Colberg, S. R., et al. (2010). Exercise and type 2 diabetes. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 42(12), 2282–2303.
https://doi.org/10.1249/MSS.0b013e3181eeb61c
[21] Eriksson, K. F., & Lindgärde, F. (1991). Prevention of type 2 diabetes by diet and exercise. Diabetologia, 34(12), 891–898.
https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00400196
[22] Ross, R., & Janssen, I. (2001). Physical activity, total and regional obesity. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 55(Suppl 1), S50–S55.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Sebastian Szmeja, Piotr Wysokiński, Julia Masalska, Kacper Robert Toczydłowski, Natalia Mazek, Paweł Adam Król, Martyna Michalik, Maria Mamczak, Paweł Klimas, Stanisław Ferdynand Strzępek
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Stats
Number of views and downloads: 12
Number of citations: 0
