The influence of Nordic walking exercise on upper extremity strength and the volume of lymphoedema in women following breast cancer treatment

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Malicka, Iwona^a | Stefańska, Małgorzata^a | Rudziak, Marta^a | Jarmoluk, Paweł^a | Pawłowska, Katarzyna^a | Szczepańska-Gieracha, Joanna^a | Woźniewski, Marek^a

Affiliations: [a] Faculty of Physiotherapy, Wrocław University School of Physical Education, Wrocław, Poland

Note: [] Address for correspondence: Iwona Malicka, al. Paderewskiego 35 (bud. P4), 51-612 Wrocław, Poland. Tel.: +48 713473519; Fax: +48 713473081; E-mail: iwona.malicka@awf.wroc.pl

Abstract: The aim of this study was to examine the effect of Nordic walking on upper extremity strength and the level of lymphoedema in women following treatment for breast cancer (BC). A group of 38 women with treated BC were assigned to two groups: a study group of 23 women taking part in 8 weeks of Nordic walking and a control group of 15 women. Each participant was assessed for bilateral muscle strength using an upper limb push-pull attachment. Circumference measurement served for determination of the volume of the lymphoedema. In women after the surgical procedure on the right side statistically significant changes in the strength of pushing motion of both the right and the left were observed. In women after the surgical procedure on the left side these values were statistically significant only for the left extremity. No significant changes were demonstrated for the treated side; we did not record either the occurrence or the intensification of lymphoedema in women after BC treatment. So, Nordic walking can be considered as safe form of rehabilitation for this group of patients.

Keywords: Breast cancer, Nordic walking, isokinetic testing, closed kinetic chain, muscle strength, lymphedema

DOI: 10.3233/IES-2011-0430

Journal: Isokinetics and Exercise Science, vol. 19, no. 4, pp. 295-304, 2011