Staying active can be challenging for people living with kidney disease. Fatigue, weakness, pain, and low confidence can all make exercise feel difficult. A study in the Journal of Renal Nutrition explored whether Nordic walking with Activator® poles could help improve fitness and movement.
What is Nordic walking?
Nordic walking is a form of walking that uses poles to support movement and involve the arms, shoulders, and upper body. In the study, participants used Activator® poles, which are designed to provide stability and support while walking.
What did the study find?
After three months, people in the Nordic walking group showed improvements in both endurance and strength. They walked about 41.5 metres farther during a six-minute walk test and improved their hand grip strength by about 1.1 kg.
These changes suggest that supervised Nordic walking may help people with kidney disease build physical function in a way that feels manageable and supportive.
Why Activator® poles may help
Walking poles can help involve more of the body during walking. They may also support balance, rhythm, and confidence. For people who feel unsure about exercise, that extra support can make walking feel more approachable.
What participants wanted next
Participants suggested making the program longer than 12 weeks, offering more sessions each week, and telling more patients about it. These suggestions show that many participants found the program useful and wanted easier access to it.
Takeaway for patients
For people with kidney disease, Nordic walking with Activator® poles may offer a practical way to improve walking endurance, strength, and confidence. A supervised group program can also provide structure and encouragement, which may make it easier to stay active over time.
Before starting: Always speak with your healthcare team before beginning a new exercise program, especially if you have kidney disease or other health concerns.
Study reference: Chao, Neufeld, Ngo, Renouf, Squire, Hoens, and Desai (2020), Journal of Renal Nutrition.
