Preliminary study: Physiological responses to a single bout of nordic walking exercise in patients with pre-hypertensive postmenopausal women

Abstract

Objective: Cardiovascular diseases are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality globally, particularly among post-menopausal women who face heightened risk. Exercise is recognized for its preventive benefits on cardiovascular health and enhancement of vascular function; yet, the effects of various exercise modalities remain inadequately understood. This study aimed to assess alterations in erythrocyte deformability, total oxidant/antioxidant status (TOS/TAS), oxidative stress index (OSI), and serum levels of leptin and irisin in pre-hypertensive post-menopausal women following one session of Nordic walking (NW) exercise. Materials and Methods: The study cohort comprised 11 post-menopausal women with pre-hypertension (mean age 57.91 ± 7.23 years) and 12 age-matched healthy women (mean age 55.17 ± 5.29 years). Venous blood was taken before and just after the exercise session. The deformability of red blood cells (RBCs) was assessed using an ektacytometer. TOS/TAS, irisin, and leptin were quantified using commercial assays. Results: A session of NW exercise did not influence oxidative stress indices or blood levels of irisin and leptin; nevertheless, erythrocyte deformability assessed at 30.00 Pa significantly increased post-exercise (p=0.043). Conclusion: Our findings indicate that enhanced RBC deformability after an acute session of NW may facilitate blood flow.