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Effect of Nordic walking on anthropometrics, glycemia, and lipids in adults with prediabetes or diabetes: systematic review and meta-analysis
Meta-analysis of six RCTs (321 adults with prediabetes or diabetes) finds Nordic walking lowers HbA1c (MD −0.37%) with high heterogeneity, reduces body weight modestly, and raises HDL-C, without clear systolic/diastolic BP effects in the pooled model.
Design
- Included trials: 6 RCTs, n = 321 adults with prediabetes or diabetes (63% male)
- Intervention: Nordic walking vs various controls (read each trial for comparator and supervision)
Glycemic and anthropometric pooled signals
- HbA1c: MD −0.37%, P = 0.0001 (I² = 69% — high heterogeneity)
- Diabetes subgroup: MD −0.49%, P < 0.00001
- Prediabetes subgroup: MD −0.20%, P = 0.001
- Body weight: MD −0.79 kg, P = 0.02
- Waist circumference: MD −0.82 cm, P = 0.07 (marginally non-significant)
Lipids and BP
- HDL-C: MD +0.07 mmol/L, P = 0.005
- TC / TG / LDL-C: no significant pooled benefit in abstract narrative
- SBP / DBP: no significant pooled effect reported in abstract
Evidence hygiene
- Complements VO2max-focused Nordic reviews (
ross-2019-nordic) by anchoring glycemic outcomes in metabolic cohorts—still not a replacement for medication optimisation trials.
Publication
Chen S, An X, Wu A, et al. J Diabetes Res. 2026; Epub ahead. PMID 41523744.
Outcomes
- HbA1c (Glycated Hemoglobin)-0.37% (Absolute Change)
- Body weight MD −0.79 kg (p=0.02) vs control; HDL-C MD +0.07 mmol/L (p=0.005); fasting glucose and HOMA-IR not significantly improved in pooled abstract summary.